The Application Developers Alliance and United for Patent Reform took to Capitol Hill this week as Alliance members fought for fair patent laws—a crucial issue for the developer workforce. Small business owners understand that patent trolls inflict damage beyond business costs. They know the real human costs of patent trolling.
Read MoreAs the digital economy and digital trade are fast becoming fundamental elements of the global economy, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) offers momentum to create a climate in which innovators, including developers, are encouraged to invest in research, development, and commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies.
Read MoreThe invalidation of the Safe Harbour agreement in October last year has thrust the legality of international data flows into question. Digital businesses have been discussing the impact of such a decision on the industry, especially on smaller companies and startups, and urged the EU and U.S. negotiators to reach a new agreement as soon as possible.
Despite the recently agreed upon EU-U.S Privacy Shield, businesses still have some time before it takes effect and have to think about alternative measures to ensure the legality of their data transfers.
Read MoreThe Center for Data Innovation held a thoughtful discussion on the potential of data and the impact of the Digital Single Market strategy and new technologies on European innovation.
Catriona Meehan, the Alliance Director of EU policy, shared the second panel with Victor Negrescu MEP (S&D), Beatrice Covassi, European Commission, Lenard Koschwitz, Allied for Startups, Damir Tomicic, Axinom Group, Philippe Van Impe, European Data Innovation Hub
Read MoreA U.S. magistrate judge has ordered Apple to build new software that would effectively weaken encryption security for the iPhone. Tim Cook responded in strong opposition to the order publicly and in a letter to his customers. The result is a showdown between a federal magistrate and one of America’s more innovative and trusted technology companies. The showdown has many practical implications, but also forces us to consider three essential questions as consumers, companies, and Americans: can weakening security make us more secure? How much intrusion and oversight are we willing to give the government in the name of protection? And, can the government make an American company build a product it doesn’t want to build?
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On February 9, the Application Developers Alliance (Alliance), along with more than a thousand organisations, participated in the 2016 Safer Internet Day (SID). Coordinated by European Schoolnet and the International Association of Internet Hotlines (INHOPE), in close partnership with the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centres in Europe, Safer Internet Day is an annual event to promote the responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. The 2016 Safer Internet Day focussed on inspiring a kind, respectful and inclusive internet, and helping raise awareness about the issue of online hate.
Read MoreIan Rumac, a brilliant Android developer, recently wrote an open letter to the European Commission about the Digital Single Market, the Commission public consultations and the General Data Protection Regulation. On behalf of developers, he asks for less regulation, easier procedures and a less fragmented market.
Read the full letter here.
Read MoreSmall businesses and developers around the world are starting to breathe a little easier today. After working diligently over the last few months, EU and U.S. negotiators announced a new agreement on transatlantic data flows. Dubbed “Privacy Shield,” the agreement will ensure innovators can continue to create and improve life-changing products that benefit consumers in both the EU and U.S. While the agreement must still be ok’d by various EU bodies, the news of an initial agreement is an important development nonetheless.
Read MoreOn Tuesday, President Obama delivered his final State of the Union Address. After highlighting notable accomplishments over the past seven years in office, the president also presented his goals for his final year in office. Among the goals the he rattled off were things like college tuition reform, cancer research, tax cuts, regulation reform, and importantly, a redoubling of our efforts to train more computer-savvy kids. Said President Obama, “we should … offering every student the hands-on computer science and math classes that make them job-ready on day one and support more great teachers for our kids.”
Read MoreWith over 40 guests, we had a business card raffle and one lucky winner got the most wanted present of the season: the Star Wars – The Force Awakens BB-8 Sphero Robot. The holiday atmosphere was set with a big Christmas tree and decorations and a selection of the best festive music.
Read MoreThe Amsterdam App Strategy Workshop took place on the 10th of December at the Rockstart Accelerator in Amsterdam. With over 100 attendees in the beautiful Dutch baroque ballroom, speakers included industry experts from Uber, Swipe & Shop, Branch Metrics, Picnic, Bux, Newzoo, Touch Instinct and more.
Read More“Government regulators have instead been slow, and at times outright reluctant, to embrace the flow of data.”
Former FTC Commissioner Joshua Wright said this in a recent speech on the FTC’s privacy regulation. In the same speech he observed that during his time at the Commission, the FTC was generally apprehensive “about the collection and use of data…along with a corresponding and arguably crippling fear about the possible misuse of such data.” This approach to privacy regulation is contradictory to what consumers and businesses expect from the exchange of data.
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