The €63 billion app economy boom in Europe - an amazing scale-up !!!

The study Study "Sizing the EU App Economy" shows that The EU's app sector has gone from zero to digital superhero in less than five years. By 2018 it could employ 4.8 million people and contribute €63 billion to the EU economy.

Today the app economy employs 1 million developers, and 800,000 people in marketing & support posts. This could rise to 2.7 million developers + 2.1 million support staff by 2018. EU buyers and advertisers spent €6.1 billion on apps in 2013, 30% of total global app spending, growing to €18.7 billion in 2018. Consumer spending combined with advertising and contract work could lead to €63 billion annual revenue for the app sector within five years.

The study is part of Startup Europe, a Digital Agenda initiative supported by Neelie Kroes to promote ICT and web entrepreneurship in Europe and to help the companies flourish in Europe.

It includes six activities: The Accelerator Assembly, the European Crowdfunding Network, The Web Investors Forum, the Leaders Club, the Startup Europe Partnership and improving Web Skills via MOOCS (being launched in 2014).

Some other insights:

What did the Commission accomplish in 2013?

The General report on the activities of the European Union 2013 was published this week.

The focus in not on the individual member states but out of pure curiosity I've extracted the direct mentions made to Romania (excluding the graphs and maps with general statistics across the EU):

• The construction site of the second bridge on the Danube between Calafat, Romania, and Vidin, Bulgaria 
• Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, visiting the Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN HH) in Romania:
• A Joint anti-terrorism exercise at EU level in 17 and 18 April as part of the EU-sponsored Atlas Network, which carried out the most complex preparation and crises response simulation so far at European level.
• an Antitrust decision : Commission sends Statement of Objections to Romanian Power Exchange OPCOM 
• and the The Cooperation and Verification Mechanism : The Commission continued to work with the Romanian authorities to address the issues raised in its report in July 2012 under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) (24). The Commission reported in January 2013 on Romania’s progress and on measures taken to restore respect for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Romania (25). The assessment showed that Romania has implemented several but not all of the Commission’s recommendations. Cooperation continues with the Romanian authorities in the context of the CVM. The Commission continued to monitor progress under the CVM both in Bulgaria and in Romania and is due to report in early 2014 on the reform  process.

A new Data Protection Compact for Europe: don't be naked online!

Data protection in the European Union is a fundamental right. Europe already has the highest level of data protection in the world. However, nine out of ten Europeans (92%) say they are concerned about mobile apps collecting their data without their consent. Seven Europeans out of ten are concerned about the potential use that companies may make of the information disclosed.

The new rules will put citizens back in control of their data, notably through:

• A right to be forgotten: decide when your data is really deleted.

• Easier access to your own data: A right to data portability will make it easier for you to transfer your personal data between service providers.

• Allowing you to decide how your data is used: When your consent is required to process your data, you must be asked to give it explicitly.

• The right to know when your data has been hacked: for example, companies and organisations must notify the national supervisory authority of serious data breaches as soon as possible (if feasible within 24 hours) so that users can take appropriate measures.

• Data protection first, not an afterthought: ‘Privacy by design’ and ‘privacy by default’ will also become essential principles in EU data protection rules.

The European Commission's data protection reform will help the digital single market and businesses realise this potential, notably through four main innovations:

• One continent, one law: The Regulation will establish a single, pan-European law for data protection, replacing the current inconsistent patchwork of national laws.

• One-stop-shop: The Regulation will establish a 'one-stop-shop' for businesses: companies will only have to deal with one single supervisory authority, not 28.

• The same rules for all companies – regardless of their establishment: Today European companies have to adhere to stricter standards than companies established outside the EU but also doing business on our Single Market.

•  European regulators will be equipped with strong enforcement powers: data protection authorities will be able to fine companies who do not comply with EU rules with up to 2% of their global annual turnover.

"A message to our American friends. Data Protection rules should apply irrespective of the nationality of the person concerned. Applying different standards to nationals and non-nationals makes no sense in view of the open nature of the internet." - Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Justice Commissioner.

More in the press pack.

A new €10 banknote is launched!

The note has a refreshed design and some enhanced security features. It will start circulating in the euro area on 23 September 2014.

The ECB (European Central Bank) and the national central banks (NCBs) of the Eurosystem are responsible for the integrity of euro banknotes. So they have developed a second series of euro banknotes with enhanced security features which will help to make the banknotes even more secure and maintain public confidence in the currency.

The trailer is available on the ECB website: 13/01/2014 Illuminating the Europa series: unveiling the new €10