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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13136
Contents Publication in full By article 25 / 32
NEWS BRIEFS / Consumers

BEUC disappointed that WhatsApp’s commitments to greater transparency only relate to its future policy

07/03/2023 (Agence Europe) – 'A yellow card for WhatsApp and a disappointment for consumers': this is how the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) reacted to WhatsApp's commitment to increase transparency for updates to the application - as announced on 6 March by the European Commission and the network of consumer protection authorities (see EUROPE 13135/7). BEUC, which initiated the complaint, is disappointed that “the authorities’ response is limited to improving transparency for consumers and that only for the future. The authorities did not address the main point of our complaint, namely the aggressive nature of the practices used by WhatsApp, and no remedy was offered to consumers who, under pressure exerted by WhatsApp, were forced to accept the new terms” in 2021, BEUC emphasised in a statement. (AN)

Contents

SECTORAL POLICIES
ENERGY: European Commission’s measures to protect consumers from excessive electricity price volatility 
ENERGY: European Parliament/EU Council negotiations continue on accelerating authorisation framework for renewable energy projects under Renewable Energy Directive
ENVIRONMENT: revision of Urban Wastewater Directive, EU ministers invited to a political debate on 16 March
AGRICULTURE: situation of agricultural markets in Europe is still a concern for EU Member States
FISHERIES: European Commission proposes an update of certain quotas for 2023
HOME AFFAIRS: interoperability of European information systems, Member States urged to address accumulation of delays and technical problems
HOME AFFAIRS: new Schengen Information System comes into force with new return alerts
SOCIAL AFFAIRS - EDUCATION
EDUCATION: EU Council wants to retain teachers and promote “green” skills
EXTERNAL ACTION
FOREIGN AFFAIRS/WOMEN’S RIGHTS: EU Council adopts sanctions against perpetrators of sexual violence worldwide
DEVELOPMENT: EU announces €17 million in support to UN for coordinated implementation of 2030 Agenda in each country
NIGERIA: EU welcomes respect for rule of law of all candidates in disputed presidential elections of 25 February
INSTITUTIONAL
BUDGET: ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’ binding on European Parliament and EU Council, according to opinion of Council’s Legal Service
EUROPEAN COMMISSION: ethical rules for staff missions tightened with immediate effect
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
MONEY LAUNDERING: experts regret EU Court of Justice ruling on beneficial ownership
ECONOMY: forthcoming discussions in Ecofin Council on “challenges and opportunities” related to REPowerEU chapters of National Recovery Plans
FINANCE/ENERGY: Irene Tinagli proposes to approve change in method of calculating derivative liabilities
COMPETITION: European Commission confirms unannounced inspections in fragrance sector
EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
WTO: still no agreement in Geneva on whether to extend TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 vaccines
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: urgent need to reunite displaced Ukrainian children with their families, urges Human Rights Commissioner
MEDIA: Council of Europe denounces a “war” on journalism
NEWS BRIEFS
HOME AFFAIRS: according to EDRi, a majority of young Europeans do not want private communications to be monitored to combat child pornography
AGRICULTURE: European Commission approves registration of new Spanish agricultural name
INSURANCE: EIOPA launches survey to map financial innovation
BELARUS: EU condemns “absurd” prison sentences for five political opponents, including Svetlana Tikhanovskaya
CONSUMERS: BEUC disappointed that WhatsApp’s commitments to greater transparency only relate to its future policy
DEFENCE: European Peace Facility mobilised again to strengthen Niger’s military capabilities
GUYANA: EU Council adopted EU/Guyana voluntary timber partnership agreement
INDUSTRY/TRANSPORT: ACEA makes recommendations to Commission on its future proposal for critical raw materials legislation
MIGRATION: Poland was Member State that granted most temporary protection statuses to Ukrainian refugees in January
MERCOSUR: Dutch House of Representatives calls for an EU/Mercosur agreement without agricultural part or nothing
RESEARCH: EIT launches its 2023 start-up support programme for European digital start-ups from East and South
HEALTH: Council of European Union adopts transitional arrangements to avoid shortages of medical devices in EU