Digital Policy

The increasing digitization of transnational commerce and innovation has raised new concerns about the existing frameworks on issues such as data protection, privacy, freedom of speech, artificial intelligence, taxation, trade, intellectual property, and competition. Digital issues touch much of day-to-day life and have the potential to cause disputes with major consequences, as domestic legislation now has far-reaching international effects. In an era of great power competition, governments are competing to create a model of digitalization that can become the global “gold standard.” The Atlantic Council aims to position itself as a critical facilitator of dialogue for the coordination of common standards for advancement in the digital realm.

Content

New Atlanticist

Oct 22, 2019

The emerging EU regulatory landscape for digital platform liability

By Kenneth Propp

As concern skyrockets over political disinformation, hate speech, and terrorist incitement on the Internet, legislators across Europe are scrambling for regulatory answers.

Digital Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 9, 2019

How governments can use cyber tools irresponsibly to preserve power

By Safa Shahwan

The Kazakh case serves as an example of irresponsible cyber statecraft, when governments use cyberspace and technological tools to achieve specific political goals, placing the rights of citizens, as well as their political legitimacy, on the line.

Central Asia Cybersecurity

Blog Post

Oct 3, 2019

A digital agenda for the new European Commission: issues and opportunities

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

Under the outgoing European Commission of President Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Union has emerged as the regulatory superpower of the global digital economy. Early signs indicate Brussels will continue to leverage the power of the single market and its regulatory approach when a new Commission takes office in November 2019.

Digital Policy European Union

New Atlanticist

Oct 2, 2019

Europe’s new commission: The outlook for digital policy

By Frances Burwell

A quick look at how the new European Commission will line up on digital policy.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Sep 12, 2019

US surveillance on trial in Europe: Will transatlantic digital commerce be collateral damage?

By Kenneth Propp

In this issue brief, Kenneth Propp, non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Future Europe Initiative, examines the existing transatlantic data-transfer mechanisms, the landmark court case that could invalidate them, and the divergent US and EU approaches to data transfers across borders and privacy standards.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Sep 6, 2019

Leveraging AI to transform power grid security

By Lukas Trakimavičius

Given our acute dependency on an uninterrupted supply of power, it is hardly surprising that power grids are among the most strategically important pieces of infrastructure for economic and national security alike.

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2019

France’s digital tax: all about leverage?

By Jörn Fleck and Alex Baker

The new measure should be a warning that European states will adopt unilateral solutions to update tax rules

Digital Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Jul 12, 2019

Fleck quoted in CNBC on US tariffs for French products

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 5, 2019

Dark Web 2.0?

By Jared Zimmerman

We will likely see a smaller dark web orbiting around a sophisticated criminal core using newer, but less user-friendly, anonymization protocols, while other criminals will need to operate in plain sight on the clear web to reach less-savvy customers.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2019

Dial 911: Trump’s telecommunications national emergency

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump on May 15 declared a “national emergency” that gives his administration the power to prevent US companies from doing business with foreign suppliers, including, potentially, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.

China Defense Technologies

Experts

Events