This is not the first time we get to look at Microsoft trying to please the European Union and its various commissions. Last time Microsoft offered to remove Internet Explorer all together from Windows 7. Why wasn’t that offer any good? Well it looks like it’s pretty difficult to download the browser of your choice without having a default browser like Internet Explorer to find your favorite browser with. So Microsoft decided to leave Internet Explorer on the future Windows 7 machines made for Europe but to also present a screen with various browser choices on it. That way users will be able to select their favorite, complete the installation and forever forget that Internet Explorer even exists:

In addition, (computer makers) would be able to install competing Web browsers, set those as default and disable Internet Explorer should they so wish. The Commission welcomes this proposal, and will now investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice.

Will the EU Commission be happy now? What’s your favorite Internet browser?

via cnet

For those of you unaware of the Pirate Party, then let me present it to you. The Pirate Party is a real party in Sweden, founded in 2006, and it tries to offer a different view on copyright, patents, privacy online and in day to day life and transparency. Since 2006 it grew more and more and now it has scored a really impressive victory in the European Union parliament elections. The party gained 7.1% of the Swedish votes which translate into at least one seat in the future European parliament and possibly one more.

Pirate Party leader Rick Falkvinge had this to say about the outcome:

We’ve felt the wind blow in our sails. We’ve seen the polls prior to the election. But to stand here, today, and see the figures coming up on that screen… What do you want me to say? I’ll say anything

Together, we have today changed the landscape of European politics. No matter how this night ends, we have changed it. This feels wonderful. The citizens have understood it’s time to make a difference. The older politicians have taken apart young peoples’ lifestyle, bit by bit. We do not accept that the authorities’ mass-surveillance.

How will a couple of voices influence current worldwide political trends? How will that influence the European policy on downloads and privacy? We will just have to wait and see.

via torrentfreak

Good news for everyone using a cell phone in Europe. The European Parliament has decided to reduce the fees for roaming calls, texts and data services this summer. Starting with July 1st all mobile carriers in the European Union will have to comply with the new regulations.

The new prices are as follows:

• €0.43 per call made abroad
• €0.19 per call received abroad
• €0.11 per SMS message sent abroad
• up to €1.00 for 1MB of data used abroad

Roaming costs will be further reduced in 2010 and 2011 as follows:

• calls made abroad – €0.39 in 2010 and €0.35 in 2011
• calls received abroad – €0.15 in 2010 and €0.11 in 2011
• 1 megabyte of data used abroad – €0.80 in 2010 and €0.50 in 2010

So what do you think folks? Ready to go to Europe?

via

Spain is about to disconnect all pre-paid phone lines unless the owners register their personal information with their carriers. This is a result of an European Union directive part of a campaign called “Identify yourself!” The European Union requires owners to register their personal information including name, address and national ID number. The carriers will be required to register all the calls made and keep the information for a year. How would you respond to a move like this one? Sure your privacy is at risk but the campaign is intended to prevent terrorist attacks where cell phones are involved.

via el mundo