RE: https://eupolicy.social/@apell/116182152600756856
Data protection and processing in Europe are part of the value proposition of #OpenSource Business in Europe. Data protection is at the core of the digital sovereignty goals of the EU.
The European Commission is still collecting feedback to […]
09.03.2026 07:34
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Data protection is at the core of digital sovereignty
_The EU’s Digital Omnibus proposal promises simplification. Conversely, it could lower data protection standards, and risks to undermine European digital sovereignty goals._
When the current EU legislative term started in 2024, the terms “simplification” and “competitiveness” were dominating the debate. In 2025, the Commission published several legislative proposals with the declared aim of increasing European competitiveness, by simplifying legislation. The so-called “omnibus” proposals combine changes to multiple laws. In the case of the “digital omnibus”, laws like the Data Governance Act, the Data Act, and the Artificial Intelligence Act (separately) are to be changed – even though some of them have been passed as recently as 2024 and to some extent have not yet entered into force. The most notable change however, concerns the European data protection regime: in particular changes to the definition of “personal data” in the GDPR and the possibility to re-use personal data on the basis of “legitimate interest” for AI are cause for controversy.
In its digital omnibus, the Commission is proposing changes to the definition of personal data, with the stated intention to take into account a developing understanding of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for how personal information could be restored from pseudonymised datasets. However, civil society organisations like Wikimedia Europe, European Digital Rights (EDRi), and D64 are pointing out that the proposed changes go beyond the recent ECJ rulings, and would weaken the protection of personal data. The European Consumer Organisation BEUC considers the changes “extremely dangerous for consumers”, and the joint declaration of the European Data Protection Supervisor and the Board of European Data Protection authorities goes so far as to **“strongly urge the co-legislators” in Parliament and Council “to not adopt the proposed changes”**.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has become a landmark legislation, and has even lead to the term “Brussels effect” being coined to describe the extraordinary impact it had on privacy discussions around the world. The lower data protection level in particular in the US has led to several high-profile decisions of the ECJ with regard to data transfers.
While the GDPR arguably created additional duties for businesses (or in some cases made existing rules more apparent), the **processing and storage of data in Europe have become prominent sales arguments** and contribute to the value proposition of products and services from the EU.
The **GDPR’s high level of privacy and data security are an advantage and have become a trade mark for European offers**.
Changes to the data protection regime as the digital omnibus proposes would **lead to a lowering of data protection levels** that could prove to be **detrimental to businesses that have invested in compliance**. In turn, the multi-national operators backed by the Trump administration, that have tried to circumvent data protection rules for years, and that occupy the top spots of the GDPR infringement and fines charts, would be rewarded.
**The digital omnibus proposal risks to haphazardly undermine the EU’s digital sovereignty goals** when the control over data processing, and the protection and security of data lose relevance.
The Commission is still collecting feedback to both the Digital Omnibus and AI Omnibus until 15 and 13 March respectively, so there is just over a week to send in your reply and point out that **the omnibus proposals must not undermine the goals of increasing digital sovereignty and making Europe more competitive in the digital field**.
Data protection is at the core of digital sovereignty. Read our article and submit to the @EUCommission consultation until the end of next week!
https://apell.info/2026/03/06/data-protection-at-the-core-of-digital-sovereignty/
06.03.2026 12:09
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(Also on YouTube if that’s more down your line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUHlg9A303g)
12.02.2026 13:23
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Balancing Community, Commerce and Commons
Online discussion of the APELL NGI0 Commons Business Circle on how Open Source projects can balance community, commerce, and commons.
Hey you, yes you, #OpenSource project! Thinking about growing your community, and maybe even starting a business? Have a look at our recent online discussion for the @NGIZero #BusinessCircle: Balancing Community, Commerce and Commons.
https://video.ngi.eu/w/nCwh71ZGmdHLz6mcHGBg6s
12.02.2026 13:22
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Thank you for joining the APELL Drinks at FOSDEM 2026, made possible with the kind support of our sponsor: LibreOffice – The Document Foundation.
Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of inviting you to our APELL Drinks at #FOSDEM 2026, thank you to everyone who joined and a special thank you to this year's sponsor, @tdforg who made this memorable evening possible!
In 2026, is continuing its mission to […]
[Original post on eupolicy.social]
12.02.2026 12:53
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Original post on eupolicy.social
The public consultation on European Open Digital Ecosystems closed with 1658 submissions! Great to see that @EUCommission and public have understood that #OpenSource is strategic in increasing digital sovereignty in #Europe.
Read APELL's submission below, urging decisive action, to promote Open […]
04.02.2026 10:04
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Six people posing in front of a banner reading ”European Open Source Awards“ and ”European Open Source Academy“
Meet (part of) the team of full-time advocates for #OpenSource policy in Brussels!
James Lovegrove, Paula Grzegorzewska, Clara Thébert, @jmaris and Ciarán O‘Riordan
30.01.2026 11:01
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Original post on eupolicy.social
It has been about nine years that I met Astor for the first time, when we were both still working in the European Parliament. Wishing you all the best for your transition, I‘m sure I will keep seeing you around!
And I’m excited to get to know Laszlo Igneczi, who follows him as Executive Director […]
30.01.2026 08:40
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Speakers addressing the audience in the Solvay Library, Brussels.
Increasing the public recognition of #OpenSource, that is the goal of the #EuropeanOpenSourceAwards. The first awards gala after the inaugural awards for the @europeanOSacademy is taking place tonight in #Brussels, and I am honoured to attend!
29.01.2026 17:45
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Now listening to Thibaut Kleiner of the @EUCommission !
29.01.2026 17:49
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How to engage with policymakers as civil society: Ella Jakubowska, Head of digital rights policy at EDRi; Marcel Kolaja, Policy and Advocacy Director for Europe at Access Now; Jordan Maris, EU Policy Analyst, Open Source Initiative; Sebastian Raible, Director EU Government Affairs, APELL; Anja Wyrobek, Policy Advisor, MEP Sippel, European Parliament
I am excited that we will once more have the opportunity to talk about how the #OpenSource ecosystem and other civil society can best reach out to the people deciding over #EU laws and policy. During our #DevRoom at FOSDEM on Sunday, @jmaris and I will be […]
[Original post on eupolicy.social]
28.01.2026 11:04
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Public Procurement revision: shift investments to Open Source
In its submission to the Commission’s public consultation on public procurement, APELL welcomes the Commission’s efforts and recommends a **shift in public investments towards Open Source** , and with it a **priority for the broader policy goal of increasing digital sovereignty** in the European Union.
The Commission’s public consultation that closes today is the next step of the Commission’s effort to revise the public procurement framework. The set of laws has last been updated in 2014, and while ICT procurement is not its main or only target, the revision provides the European legislator with the opportunity of improving digital sovereignty along the way.
Public procurement of ICT makes up more than half of global IT budgets. By shifting investments towards Open Source, the EU has the option of leveraging its strategic advantages for more digital sovereignty. APELL further recommends exploring buyer networks, joint procurement, and sharing of procured solutions, as well as public sector open source projects to make spending more sustainable in the long-term.
Furthermore, the public sector as well as the private sector should establish Open Source Programme Offices (OSPOs) to institutionalise Open Source skill and knowledge. OSPOs establish a single contact point that can support Open Source procurement in less experienced authorities or companies.
Read APELL’s full feedback in this PDF Download.
_(Title photo credit: Münzeinsatz in Geldkassette 2011: 4028mdk09,CC-BY-SA/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)_
APELL’s recommendation to the Commission’s new consultation on the EU public procurement rules: Shift investments to Open Source! Read our recommendations here: https://apell.info/2026/01/26/procurement-shift-investments/ #EU #OpenSource #Procurement
26.01.2026 13:45
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You are invited to the APELL Drinks at FOSDEM 2026! APELL, the European Open Source Business Association, cordially invites the leaders of the open source community to join us after the EU Open Source Policy Summit, on the eve of FOSDEM, to share insights and forge new partnerships in the heart of Brussels. 30 January 2026, from 20:00 CET, at Brew Dog Brussels, Dress informal.
The APELL Drinks at FOSDEM 2026 are brought to you with the kind support of @libreoffice!
26.01.2026 10:26
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APELL
Are you coming to Brussels for FOSDEM (if the trains will)? We would like to invite you once more to join us for Drinks at FOSDEM 2026 on Friday 30 January, from 20:00-23:00! Request registration now as space is limited: https://pretix.eu/apell/fosdem2026/
26.01.2026 10:17
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Original post on eupolicy.social
In the face of mounting challenges, the opportunity that Open Source provides for the Commission and Member States grows bigger and bigger. I'm looking forward to discuss how Open Source companies are ready for business! #OpenSourceWeek #FOSDEM […]
20.01.2026 16:17
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@nlnet @NGIZero @NGICommons
27.11.2025 14:02
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Original post on eupolicy.social
NGI0 Commons-funded projects and everyone interested: Join us tomorrow for our online discussion: Balancing Community, Commerce and Commons.
Timo Väliharju of @cossfi and APELL will shed light on:
💡 how #OpenSource projects build sustainability
💡 how they can identify what governance, funding […]
27.11.2025 13:56
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Original post on eupolicy.social
Quite the gap between theory and practice: while German federal states, armed forces and French gendarmerie rely on #OpenSource because they have understood that #digitalSovereignty is only achievable with open technology, the closing declaration for tomorrow‘s #DigitalSummit treats OS like a […]
17.11.2025 11:29
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Original post on eupolicy.social
APELL and 100+ partners declare: digital sovereignty is possible with Open Source. One day before the European Summit on Digital Sovereignty they are publishing their "Declaration of Digital Independence", underlining control over digital technology is needed for resilience. The signatories call […]
17.11.2025 07:10
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RE: https://eupolicy.social/@sraible/115411420912693041
Und gleich bin ich auch schon auf dem Weg nach #Berlin zur #OSBAConnect, ich freue mich darauf, euch und Sie alle dort zu sehen! #OpenSource #digitalsovereignty
12.11.2025 08:49
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RE: https://meshed.cloud/@webmink/115530663252234509
Join our #OpenSource policy Devroom at #FOSDEM on Sunday 1 February 2026! See you in #Brussels!
12.11.2025 08:46
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OSBA Connect 2025: Netzwerken, Austauschen, mitgestalten!
Am **13. November 2025** lädt die **Open Source Business Alliance** zur **OSBA Connect 2025** nach Berlin ein – dem zentralen Netzwerk- und Impulsevent für alle, die sich für aktuelle Open-Source-Themen interessieren und den gemeinsamen Austausch mit Gleichgesinnten suchen.
Unter dem Motto „Innovationsbooster Open Source: Für einen modernen Staat und eine starke Wirtschaft“ bringt die Veranstaltung Vertreter:innen aus Politik, Verwaltung, Wirtschaft, Forschung und Zivilgesellschaft zusammen. Ziel ist es, gemeinsam auszuloten, wie Open Source in allen Bereichen zu einer effizienten und nachhaltigen digitalen Transformation beitragen kann.
Wer Open Source als strategisches Werkzeug begreift, findet hier die ideale Plattform zum Austausch und fürs Mitgestalten. Die OSBA Connect ist eine offene Veranstaltung für alle, die digitale Souveränität konkret vorantreiben wollen. – egal ob langjähriges Mitglied im Verband, Erstbesucher oder interessierter Gast.
## OSBA – aus Austausch wird Bewegung
Die Open Source Business Alliance (OSBA), **Deutschlands größter Verband für Open-Source-Unternehmen und -Anwender:innen** , steht seit Jahren für die Idee, dass Offenheit, Kooperation und technologische Unabhängigkeit zentrale Grundlagen moderner Digitalisierung sind.
Mit über 250 Mitgliedern aus Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Verwaltung setzt sich die OSBA dafür ein, dass Open Source Software und offene Standards als Basis einer souveränen digitalen Infrastruktur etabliert werden.
Die OSBA Connect ist eines der zentralen Networking-Events der deutschen Open-Source-Branche. Für Mitglieder bietet die OSBA Connect die Gelegenheit, sich mit anderen Engagierten aus dem Verband auch über Arbeitsgruppen hinweg zu vernetzen, Erfahrungen auszutauschen und durch das Programm neue Impulse zu gewinnen. Für Nicht-Mitglieder öffnet die Veranstaltung die Tür zu einem einzigartigen Netzwerk aus Unternehmen, Behörden und Politik, die an denselben Fragen arbeiten – oft aus sehr unterschiedlichen Blickwinkeln. So entsteht ein Dialog, der Wirkung zeigt: in Strategien, gemeinsamen Projekten und in realer Veränderung.
## Fokus 2025: Starke Wirtschaft und Staatsmodernisierung mit Open Source
Um eine erfolgreiche Digitalisierung zu erreichen und um die Herausforderungen zu meistern, vor denen wir stehen, brauchen wir vor allem Offenheit, Zusammenarbeit und den Mut, Dinge anders zu denken. Genau hier setzt die OSBA Connect 2025 an.
Der Impulsvortrag gleich zu Beginn des Programms zeigt, wie weit Open Source trägt: Bernd Lakemeier von der Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) nimmt die Teilnehmenden mit nach **Kenia** , wo deutsche Unternehmen und afrikanische Fachkräfte bereits gemeinsam an offenen Lösungen arbeiten. Sein Beispiel macht deutlich, dass Open Source nicht nur Technologie, sondern auch Bindeglied ist – zwischen Ländern, Menschen und Märkten.
Der nächste Impuls bringt uns einen **Erfolgsbericht aus dem Gesundheitswesen** : Lara Reußwig vom Gesundheitsamt Frankfurt zeigt, welche Fortschritte erzielt werden können, wenn Hands-On-Mentalität und Pragmatismus zusammenkommen. Sie spricht darüber, wie ihre Behörde mit dem Projekt „GA-Lotse“ eine Open-Source-Lösung für Gesundheitsämter geschaffen hat und wie der Einsatz von Open Source Software im Gesundheitswesen ausgeweitet werden kann.
Der dritte Impuls kommt vom bekannten Technikforscher Caspar Clemens Mierau: Er beleuchtet, warum beim Einsatz von IT in der öffentlichen Verwaltung immer wieder der sogenannte „**Safe Choice Bias** “ zuschlägt. Dieser sorgt dafür, dass es Entscheidungsträger:innen immer sicherer erscheint, das zu machen, was sie schon immer gemacht haben, auch wenn sie bereits wissen, dass beispielsweise der Einsatz von Open Source Software eine bessere und nachhaltigere Alternative darstellt.
Den Abschluss bildet eine Paneldiskussion über **Staatsmodernisierung durch Open Source** mit diesen interessanten Gästen:
* Dr. Markus Reichel (CDU/CSU-Bundestagsfraktion)
* Matthäus Schlummer (Normenkontrollrat) und
* Dr. Henriette Litta (Open Knowledge Foundation).
Gemeinsam sprechen Sie mit Miriam Seyffarth (Leiterin Politische Kommunikation, OSBA) über das neue Digitalministerium und darüber, welchen Herausforderungen sich dieses stellen muss, um den Staat tatsächlich zukunftsfähig machen. Welche Rolle kann oder besser muss Open Source dabei spielen, wenn die große Staatsmodernisierung mehr sein soll als ein Schlagwort?
## Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren Platz bei der OSBA Connect!
… und werden Sie Teil des wichtigsten Netzwerks für offene Digitalisierung in Deutschland.
Die OSBA Connect 2025 findet am **13. November in Berlin** statt. **Tickets und ergänzende Informationen** zum Programm finden Sie unter https://osb-alliance.de/veranstaltungen/osba-connect-netzwerk-event-und-mitgliederversammlung-2025.
Wir freuen uns auf Sie!
Rico Barth und Jennifer Vosseler
Sprecher der Working Group Events
Open Source Business Alliance
Schon angemeldet zur #OSBAConnect? Am 13. November findet in Berlin wieder die jährliche Konferenz der @OSBA statt, diesmal unter dem Titel: Innovationsbooster #OpenSource! Ich freue mich drauf, euch und Sie dort zu treffen! https://osb-alliance.de/featured/osba-connect-2025
21.10.2025 09:22
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A photo of Sebastian Raible (APELL) before a stylised Ghent cityscape, on the right, "Linux Foundation Europe Member Summit: 28 October 2025, Ghent, Belgium, #LFEuropeMemberSummit".
I'm excited to announce I'll speak at the @lfeurope #LFEMemberSummit in #Ghent on 28/Oct: Closing the Backdoor: Digital Sovereignty for EU & Public Authorities with Open Source
#OpenSource provides clear answers in the debate around #DigitalSovereignty: it […]
[Original post on eupolicy.social]
14.10.2025 13:54
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Original post on eupolicy.social
As you know, APELL is part of the @europeanOSacademy project. The EOSA establishes a recognition scheme for Open Source in the form of awards, and modelled after no less than the Oscars and the Nobel Prize! ✨
The academy is currently calling for contributions to the new EOSA Magazine, which is […]
09.10.2025 10:13
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The European Open Source Awards marks a celebration and one of a kind recognition of open source excellence in Europe.
Open Call for Nominations: https://europeanopensource.academy/open-call-nominations-european-open-source-awards-2026
07.10.2025 11:23
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The @EUCommission wants to update its product legislation framework, the #NLF. This is an opportunity for the specificities of #OpenSource development and business models to be reflected for future legal certainty! Read our suggestions here […]
[Original post on eupolicy.social]
04.09.2025 10:48
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Schematic drawings of wall outlets for illustration of standards
More Openness, accessibility and Open Source representation in European #Standardisation, please! Today we submit our recommendations to the @EUCommission on the revision of Regulation 1025/2012: more inclusivity, open structures and public collaboration to […]
[Original post on eupolicy.social]
18.07.2025 10:23
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🧵2/4 We ask the @ec.europa.eu to
- use open standards to facilitate cloud interoperability and switching
- look into anti-competitive bundling practices
- build institutional capacity by establishing #OpenSource Programme Offices #OSPO
…
07.07.2025 07:48
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Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities
🚨 the @ec.europa.eu is launching an Expert Group for a “Technology Roadmap on [breaking?] Encryption”. You can apply by 1/September!
ec.europa.eu/transparency...
Please consider sharing this in your circles! #encryption #eu
03.07.2025 15:16
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