First privacy, now data: The EU seeks a managed digital space

Issue Brief Mar 8, 2023

Inside Bangladesh’s new data protection laws

By Stephen Weymouth

The 2022 Draft Data Protection Act (DPA), which establishes new restrictions related to the processing, storage, and transfer of data, appears to move Bangladesh’s digital governance in a different direction.
Bangladesh Digital Policy
First privacy, now data: The EU seeks a managed digital space

Report Mar 3, 2023

Critical connectivity: Reducing the price of data in African markets

By Aubrey Hruby

This report analyzes the current state of the digital transformation in Africa and outlines how affordable and accessible data is imperative for further development.
Africa Digital Policy
First privacy, now data: The EU seeks a managed digital space

New Atlanticist Jan 24, 2023

Biden’s call to modernize US tech policy would pay transatlantic dividends

By Kenneth Propp

If Congress and the White House can unite to pass regulations on data privacy and tech competition, they would set the stage for deeper EU-US coordination.
Digital Policy European Union

Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 3, 2020

First privacy, now data: The EU seeks a managed digital space

By Frances Burwell

On February 19, the European Commission launched a major regulatory initiative aimed at creating a transformational digital economy in Europe. Given the close integration of the US and European Union (EU) economies—including in the digital sphere—this European initiative is likely to have a significant impact on US companies and consumers.

Digital Policy European Union

In the News

Mar 2, 2020

Lindsay in Fast Company: How to design a smart city

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

Feb 21, 2020

Putting privacy limits on national security mass surveillance: The European Court of Justice intervenes

By Kenneth Propp

In a little-noticed set of opinions issued on January 15, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) put forward a bold and unprecedented proposition—mass surveillance conducted by European Union (EU) member state national security services should operate within the bounds of the Union’s privacy laws.

Digital Policy European Union

Issue Brief

Feb 18, 2020

The next phase of digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: 2020 and beyond

By Frances Burwell, Jörn Fleck

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) possess fundamental strengths that uniquely position the region to capitalize on the next wave of digitalization – solid education systems, a large talent pool of “STEM” graduates, widely adopted digitally enabled services, and fewer technology legacies. But, these advantages alone do not mean that Central and Eastern […]

Central Europe Digital Policy

In the News

Feb 12, 2020

Countering misinformation in an expanding media landscape

By Atlantic Council

Dr. David Bray, Director of the Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center, and other expert panelists considered the changing landscape of misinformation on an episode DisrupTV hosted by Mr. R "Ray" Wang and Mr. Vala Afshar of Constellation Research.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy
gtc abstract pattern of black and white tiles that curve

In the News

Jan 23, 2020

Data governance, trends, and challenges for 2020

By Atlantic Council

As part of a CxOTalk episode, inaugural director of the Atlantic Council's GeoTech Center Dr. David Bray and GeoTech Senior Fellow Amy Webb discuss what public and private sector leaders need to know about data for the future ahead. This discussion was prior to the COVID-19, and Dr. Bray - who had been traveling and work extensively for the planned launch of the GeoTech Center later in March - focused on why is data so Important in 2020? Both Ms. Webb and Dr. Bray highlighted the challenges of data literacy for leaders and managers, as well the challenges of national and international jurisdictions in terms of data governance.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Congressional Relations

Jan 15, 2020

Congressional hearing – “US-Iran tensions: implications for homeland security”

By Atlantic Council

The Committee meeting examined the homeland security implications of the recent escalation in US-Iran tensions in the wake of the killing of Qasem Soleimani. Witnesses were given time to present opening statements to address possible retaliation followed by questions posed by committee members. Nonresident Senior Fellow Thomas S. Warrick presented four ways in which Iran threatens the homeland: terrorism, cyber-attacks, disinformation, and influence operations. Warrick underscored the imminent threat posed by Iranian cyber-attacks, “Mr. Chairman, the possibility of a terrorist attack by Iran here in the homeland is that, a possibility, but cyber-attacks are a certainty.”

Defense Policy Digital Policy

Blog Post

Dec 19, 2019

Digital tax talks continue as trade threats rise

By Jörn Fleck, Alex Pieter Baker

Digital service taxes are one of the primary wedge issues in a larger transatlantic divide over digital policy. A tangible measure for politicians and the public alike, they could become one of the primary catalysts for the new European Commission’s quest for digital sovereignty.

Digital Policy European Union

Blog Post

Dec 19, 2019

Making Europe fit for the digital age

By Frances Burwell

This focus on digital policy is embedded in a new economic strategy that represents a return to thinking in traditional European terms about an industrial strategy, one that would ensure that European companies face a “level-playing field” on their own continent but that also makes room for innovative European start-ups.

Digital Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 13, 2019

How the USMCA impacts transatlantic trade policy

By Barbara C. Matthews

The attention today rightly sits with the breakthroughs regarding the labor and environment provisions of the USMCA. But trade policy strategists in Europe and the United States should not delay in using the USMCA’s digital trade chapter as a catalyst to define new foundations for cross-border trade in data and services which will drive economic growth and innovation for the foreseeable future.

Digital Policy European Union
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Newton Henry Campbell Jr.

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Space

Staff

Alisha Chhangani

Assistant Director

GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Digital Policy
Jenny Domino

Fellow

Jenny Domino

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy East Asia

Staff

Zeynep Egeli

Project Assistant

Atlantic Council in Turkey

Digital Policy Energy & Environment

Fellow

Mohamed Elbashir

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Arabic Artificial Intelligence

Staff

Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business
Load More

Events

Flagship Event Tue, September 30, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

2025 Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics

The Transatlantic Forum on GeoEconomics is an annual conference convening economic and financial leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
Digital Policy Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia European Union