News
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ENISA Report on Cyberthreat Landscape
The cyberthreat landscape changed significantly in 2018; the risk of becoming the victim of a cyberattack remains high. This is one of the main conclusions of the 2018 Threat Landscape Report by the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA). The report … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Cybercrime
ECA Dissatisfied with EU’s Cybersecurity Performance
Multiple challenges exist to strengthen EU’s cybersecurity and its digital autonomy, and the EU needs to do more. This is the main outcome of a briefing paper by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) that was published on 19 March 2019. The briefing paper provides … Read more
EU
Cybercrime
New Directive Criminalises Fraud and Counterfeiting of Non-Cash Means of Payment
The European Parliament and the Council established new rules on combating fraud and the counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment. Directive 2019/713 was published in Official Journal L 123/18 of 10 May 2019. The Directive goes back to a Commission proposal of September 2017 (see … Read more
EU
Non-Cash Means of Payment
Strengthening European Supervision on Anti-Money Laundering – EP and Council Agree
In March 2019, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the reform of European rules that aim to strengthen the mandates, governance, and financing of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs)by giving them. The reform will give the ESAsgreater responsibility for ensuring … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Directive on Better Law Enforcement Access to Financial Information on Way
The Council and European Parliament went ahead with the Commission’s proposal for a directive laying down rules facilitating the use of financial and other information for the prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of certain criminal offences and repealing Council Decision 2000/642/JHA (COM(2018) 213, eucrim 1/2018, … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
EDPS Opinion Combating VAT Fraud Related to E-Commerce
On 14 March 2019, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued an opinionon a legislative initiative that aims at curbing VAT fraud in the area of e-commerce. The initiative was tabled by the Commission in December 2018 and consists of two proposals, one for … Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Tax Evasion
Spotlight Commission Presents New Anti-Fraud Strategy
More consistency, better coordination, and more data-driven anti-fraud measures – these are the main elements of the Commission’s new Anti-Fraud Strategy (CAFS) that was tabled on 29 April 2019 in the form of a Communication (COM(2019) 196 final). The CAFS is an internal policy … Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Investment Fund Misuse in Romania
On 9 April 2019, OLAF reported on a successful operation led by the Romanian National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA). With OLAF’s support, investigators revealed a kickback scheme being used by an organised criminal group that involved corruption, influence peddling, and money laundering. Losses in EU investment … Read more
EU
European Court of Human Rights
OLAF
2019 EU Justice Scoreboard: Downward Trend for Judicial Independence
On 26 April 2019, the Commission published the 2019 EU Justice Scoreboard. The Scoreboard presents an annual comparative overview of indicators relevant for the independence, quality, and efficiency of justice (for the Justice Scoreboards of previous years, see eucrim 2/2018, 80-81, and eucrim … Read more
EU
Legislation
Updated Rules on European Citizens’ Initiatives
At the end of March 2019, the Council and the European Parliament passed a Regulation that reforms the European citizens’ initiative. The European citizens’ initiative is a democratic participation tool by which citizens may influence EU policy. If the Commission has the power to … Read more
EU
Legislation
EP-Studies on Algorithmic Decision-Making
The European Parliamentary Research Service published two studies dealing with algorithms used in systems to support decision-making. The studies were designed to provide a basis for future debates in the European Parliament on the issue of algorithmic decision-making systems.The first study, “Understanding algorithmic decision-making: … Read more
EU
Security Union
Commission Takes Stock of Security Union Progress
On 20 March 2019, the European Commission presented its 18th“progress report towards an effective and genuine Security Union.” Within the framework of this series (see also eucrim 3/2016, 123), this report especially takes stock of the progress made on the main building blocks of the … Read more
EU
Security Union
CCBE: Recommendations on Protection of Fundamental Rights in “National Security” Context
The concept of “national security” is often used in modern democratic societies to justify intrusive surveillance measures or other interference in an individual’s fundamental rights. A universally accepted definition of national security is lacking, however, which makes it difficult for courts to review state actions … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Citizens’ Initiative on Respect for the Rule of Law Admitted
On 3 April 2019, the Commission registered a European citizens’ initiative called “Respect for the rule of law within the European Union.”The European citizens’ initiative is a democratic participation tool by which citizens may influence EU policy. It was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty. … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Commission Triggers Debate on Future EU Rule-of-Law Toolbox
On 3 April 2019, the Commission published a Communication entitled “Further strengthening the Rule of Law within the Union.” The Communication aims at triggering a reflection process on how the EU toolbox for defending and maintaining the fundamental value of the rule of law in … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
AG: Polish Supreme Court Reform is Against EU Law
Polish legislation lowering the retirement age of Supreme Court judgesviolates EU law, according to the opinion of Advocate General EvgeniTanchev. The opinion was released on 11 April 2019 and concerns one of three infringement procedures that have, in the meantime, been launched by the … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights