Loathe her or love her,  Margaret Thatcher’s telecoms policies have strongly influenced the structure of  European Union policy.  But how far did they  pave the way for Internet communications?

 As we learn of the death of Baroness Thatcher yesterday, it is worth reflecting on the ways in which her policies have shaped the telecoms industry that we have today.  She was politician who prompted very mixed and divided reactions, and her policies were not always welcomed or liked. And it is so with her  telecoms policies.

Read more: Lest we forget - Margaret Thatcher’s telecoms legacy

A June deadline is looming for the EU Council of Ministers to give its blessing to  a mandate for EU –US trade talks. That’s when European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht would like to have it settled. The issue that may delay the mandate  is what to do about support for the European film industries. It's  an issue that splits the  Commission internally. The elephant in the room is copyright and IPR. Both issues lead to Hollywood.

Read more: EU-US trade talks – the Hollywood question

 In the political battle over the European Data Protection Regulation, a vibrant front is emerging around the issue of profiling – the automated montoring of users Internet browsing habits.  What’s  at stake is whether or not profiling should come under the auspices of the regulator and what  level of regulatory control is appropriate. One argument concerns  whether or not data that has been processed under a “pseudonym” is  addressed by the regulations.  On this point, the European Data Protection Supervisor  has weighed in.

Read more: EU data privacy – profiling the battle front