The European Parliament has voted to ratify the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA). It did so  despite a litany of reservations. But why?

Today, the European Parliament gave its consent to the so-called Brexit deal, formally known as the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). There was an overwhelming majority of 660 in favour, 5 against, and 32 abstentions. The agreement now only needs to be adopted by the European Council, when it will formally enter into force.

It entailed  a simple yes/no vote under the Consent procedure, but as with all things Brexit, it wasn’t really that simple.

Read more: Not a blank cheque: European Parliament consents to EU-UK Agreement

A disproportionate restriction on freedom of expression – Fails to meet the legality principle – Gap between publicly available information and internal rules. 

These are the conclusions of  the Facebook Oversight Board in one of its first decisions on content removal by the platform. Facebook's action was assessed against human rights standards. The decision paves the way for users whose content is unfairly targeted by enforcement actions to argue for a rights-based approach. Yet it  also highlights some of the difficulties of automated content moderation. It contains much that is to be welcomed, although ultimately, the Board will have demonstrate that it has real teeth. 

I explore the rationale, drawing on my own research where I encountered a similar post to the one in this case.  

The case concerned content related to

Read more: Oversight Board Decision moves Facebook into human rights ambit

Will  border safety be  at risk if the UK loses access to a vital EU database of wanted persons and police alerts?  

Parliamentary Committees  heard last week that instantaneous border security checks via the vital Schengen Information System (SIS II) database are likely to cease from 1 January. Evidence given to Parliamentary committees reveals a lack of preparedness and no alternative system on the same  scale. Is losing access inevitable or is it a political decision? 

Read more: UK border safety alert - mind the capability gap