Photo : BBC/Reuters
30 January 2024, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #743
In Brief
By Alka Bala
ITALY
Inquiry highlights data privacy violations by ChatGPT
On 29 January, the BBC reported on the inquiry by Italy’s Data Protection Authority (DPA), which found breaches of data protection rules. The chatbot by OpenAI collects personal data from its users to train its algorithms. DPA’s “fact-finding activity” found breaches of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. Italian spokesperson demanded the need for “implementing an age verification system” and an “information campaign to inform users on their right to opt-out from the provision of their personal data.” OpenAI had earlier reported continuing its talks with the Italian regulator and has 30 days to prepare its defence. (Imran Rahman-Jones, “ChatGPT: Italy says OpenAI's chatbot breaches data protection rules,” BBC, 29 January 2024)
RUSSIA
Putin joins three other registered candidates for upcoming presidential elections
On 29 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the Central Election Commission announcement of the registration of Russian President Vladimir Putin for presidential elections to be held from March 15-17. Putin joins the three registered candidates, Leonid Slutsky, leader of the nationalist LDPR party, Vladislav Davankov, deputy speaker of the State Duma, and Nikolai Kharitonov, Duma deputy from the Communist party. Boris Nadezhdin, another potential candidate has until 31 January to collect 105,000 signatures supporting his campaign. In his fifth presidential election, a victory for Putin would make him the longest-serving ruler in Russia since the 18th century. (“Russia: Putin registered as presidential candidate,” Deutsche Welle, 29 January 2024)
THE UK
Rwanda bill faces criticism in House of Lords
On 30 January, the BBC reported the criticism faced by Rishi Sunak, UK’s Prime Minister’s flagship Rwanda bill during the first stage of debate in the House of Lords. The attempt to kill the bill by Liberal Democrats failed after a vote that allowed the bill to move to the next stage. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby remarked the bill’s damage to “national unity” and to asylum seekers. Lords also criticised the shoddy nature of the bill, how it “punishes” asylum seekers and not smuggling gangs. The government’s declaration of Rwanda as a safe country was met with opposition and was seen as an attempt to overturn the facts. Division within the Conservative Party on the bill is evident, as 60 Tory MPs backed the bill without any amendments whereas dozens suggested their willingness to abstain or oppose the bill entirely. Voting on the bill in the House of Lords is expected to take place by next month. (Sam Francis, “Rwanda Bill criticised by peers at first stage in House of Lords,” BBC, 30 January 2024)
DUP members ‘take a decision’ on restoring power-sharing
On 30 January, BBC reported on Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) deciding on the deal for restoring power sharing. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, leader of DUP, provided a detailed update to other executive members in a meeting held in Lisburn on the deal to restore power-sharing government at Stormfront. DUP has been in dialogue with the UK government for changes in arrangements agreed in the UK-EU Windsor Framework deal. Details of the deal are yet to be released by the party. Still, aspects of the deal discussed would include an east-west political body to discuss interests between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, a business organisation similar to InterTrade Ireland focusing on trade, and new legal guarantees of access for Northern Ireland traders dealing with Great Britain. (Enda McClafferty, “DUP officers 'have taken a decision' on the deal to restore power sharing,” BBC, 30 January 2024)
REGIONAL
Post-Brexit requirements on food importers likely to cause supply disruptions
On 30 January, the BBC reported on the new guidelines on food and plant product imports into the UK post its exit from the EU’s single market. The new food checks require consignments of fresh food and plant imports from the EU to contain a veterinary certificate, leading to increased red tape. The consignments are required to adhere to the guidelines from 31 January, however actual food checks at the border would take place only after three months. Checks are expected to bring in food inflation, raising the overall level of prices by 0.2 per cent over three years. Concerns are raised regarding the limited availability of vets, increased expenses and the potential loss of perishable goods due to the delay, causing a pause or disruption in the continuous supply of goods. Labour Party proposes the need for a Veterinary Agreement with the EU, catering to the raised concerns. (Faisal Islam, “New Brexit food checks will test Britain’s supply chains,” BBC, 30 January 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Amazon’s iRobot deal falls through; The EU slams it anti-competitive
On 29 January, Deutsche Welle reported on Amazon’s decision to discontinue its proposed acquisition of iRobot, an automatic Roomba vacuum cleaner manufacturer for USD 1.7 billion. This decision comes through as the European Union believes the acquisition would be anticompetitive and would hinder the sales of its competitors in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Amazon views this decision of the European Commission as imposition of “undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles.” The termination of the deal resulted in a fall in the shares of iRobot to more than 14 per cent in trading. (“Amazon abandons iRobot buyout after EU objections,” Deutsche Welle, 29 January 2024)
Meloni proposes energy investment plan in the Rome Summit
On 29 January, Giorgia Meloni Italian Prime Minister sought to diversify its energy supplies and aims to be the energy hub in the southern Mediterranean. According to her Africa Plan, she plans energy investments, where Italy would collect energy from Africa via pipelines and distribute it throughout Europe. Meloni’s proposal seeks a non-predatory-patronising approach towards Africa, treating them as partners. She also highlighted diverting 70 per cent of the EUR four billion climate fund in support of green transition in developing countries to fund this plan. (Hannah Roberts, “As Meloni embraces Africa, Europe holds its breath,” Politico, 29 January 2024)
Red Sea crisis disrupts shipping of perishables from Europe
On January 26, Politico reported the disruption caused in shipments of perishables from Europe, especially southern Europe, due to the re-routing of ships around Cape of Good Hope, given the crisis in the strait of Bab el-Mandeb. The re-routing comes with the cost of a delay of three weeks, a five-fold increase in container prices and risks of possible decay of fruits and vegetables en route. Countries such as Italy, Cyprus and Greece find it difficult to reach their goods into Asian markets incurring losses of billions of euros. Such concerns have resulted in exports being dumped on the Europe market, where Europe is used as a transit route or a a destination for these goods. Although French manufacturer Danone negated “any significant short-term impact,” it’s evident that the EU is facing uncertainty in its global supply chains. (Alessandro Ford, “Spoilage alert: Red Sea crisis hits Europe’s fresh food trade,” Politico, 26 January 2024)