Meeting in Paris and Nevers for two days, the European ministers in charge of telecommunications and digital technology had things to say to each other, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Common positions have been adopted.
The Secretary of State in charge of the Digital Transition and Electronic Communications, Cédric O (who will leave politics after the next presidential election), received his European counterparts in France on March 8 and 9, as part of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. At the end of various working meetings, the representatives of the EU Member States – as well as Switzerland and Norway, who were invited – came to an agreement on support for Ukraine and a strengthening of resilience of the area in terms of telecommunications and cybersecurity, which will involve, among other things, an even more intense fight against online disinformation.
A desire to strengthen the cyber defense capabilities of the European Union
European ministers discussed the assistance to be provided to Ukraine in areas such as IT and telecommunications. They spoke of the authorities’ interest in ensuring the continuity of their action, by providing computer equipment which could help the continuation of the so-called “normal” functioning of the Ukrainian government, but also the maintenance of telecommunications in the country invaded by Russia. France will, as such, be the intermediary that will allow the Member States to coordinate, in liaison with Brussels and the European Commission.
Regarding the telecommunications sector, EU ministers agree that this sector is more resilient than others to the cyber threat. But they still called on the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) to list the risks that today weigh on networks and infrastructures in the area, and to formulate recommendations to strengthen their capacity for anticipation and adaptability. The situation in Ukraine obviously increases the risks of cyber effects within the EU, hence this request from ministers to strengthen and accelerate European cooperation in the field of computer security.
The importance of adopting and implementing the directive Network and Information Security (NIS2) has also been raised, in order to raise the level of security of networks and essential information systems. By extension, the ministers call on the European Commission to give effect to the Cyber Resilience Act, a regulation which would strengthen European cyber-defence, in addition to the future launch of an intervention fund which will be used in the event of a computer emergency.
Ministers call on major digital platforms to anticipate future European regulations, in order to combat disinformation and the manipulation of information online
The fight against disinformation, moreover one of the priority objectives of the famous Digital Services Act (DSA), is an issue which, on the sidelines of the conflict in Ukraine, is becoming even more pressing. ” Online platforms, and in particular social networks, have a decisive role to play in this regard. “, notes France. The 27 EU ministers called on digital companies to take voluntary and additional measures, in advance and even before the final adoption of the future regulation, in order to fight against disinformation and the manipulation of information online. . The ministers want the major companies in the sector to get down to it, and this common will has been formalized by means of a political declaration adopted unanimously.
During a meeting organized on March 8, which was attended in particular by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, and the representatives of the major platforms and social networks, the European digital ministers detailed what they expect from these different services. They demand, with a united front:
- The intensification of the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms on the Internet;
- Mobilizing additional resources to oversee moderation in conflict areas;
- Adoption of additional measures to ensure that platform tools do not become an aggravating factor for online hate and misinformation, as well as for the spread of hostile content;
- The application, as of now, of the Code of good practices in the field of disinformation, dear to the European Commission;
- The prioritization of reliable and recognized sources of information;
- The rapid adaptation of moderation and risk management policies, useful in the event of a crisis;
- The sharing of useful data information, in real time, in order to cooperate with the academic and research worlds.
” Our exchanges have made it possible to set a course to further increase the resilience of the European Union in the medium term. Today’s commitments also demonstrate the European Union’s ability to react quickly and the solidarity of European partners towards Ukraine, including in the area of digital and telecommunications. said Secretary of State Cédric O.
11