The European Union versus the Internet

Re:The European Union versus the Internet by timrichard on Tuesday September 18, 2018 @03:33PM (#18018402)

There are over 30,000 [1] paid lobbyists in Brussels, and you think "the EU constrains companies to the benefit of individuals". And these latest outrageous copyright and link proposals are widely regarded to be for the benefit of certain German media magnates.

Whatever criticism the EU attracts for its spending, the PR budget looks to be pretty good value. I'm really baffled by some of these perspectives.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/08/lobbyists-euro...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The European Union versus the Internet by kazen44 on Tuesday September 18, 2018 @04:13PM (#18018709)

The EU actually has extensive law about lobbying.[1] It actually tries to be transparant in regards to how lobbying happens and what kind of lobbying happens.

Also, your 30K figure also includes lobbyists from civil rights groups and other NGO's. Not just purely companies.

Lobbying happens, it is how people influence politics. Better to be transparant and open about it them to hide it.

[1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2015/57280...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The European Union versus the Internet by pbhjpbhj on Tuesday September 18, 2018 @04:56PM (#18019051)

Well take the Working Time Directive as an example; relative to my own government in the UK, the EU certainly appear to do more for the demos (with the possible exception of the current copyright directive; which I've not read the draft legislation on yet).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The European Union versus the Internet by jamespo on Tuesday September 18, 2018 @04:15PM (#18018726)

Relative to the US, yes it does

[ Parent | on HN ]