Latest news with #VincentKarremans
Euronews
18-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Dutch competition watchdog's fitness for purpose questioned by reports
The management and governance structure of the Netherlands' national competition authority is ineffective at handling societal, political, policy and organisational developments, according to reports commissioned by the Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans. Currently part of the national Economy Ministry, the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) needs to become a self-governing autonomous decision-making body, according to the reports. One of the reports says that 'roles and responsibilities are too intertwined" with the ministry and that there are too many contingent dependencies. The other, carried out by PwC, concluded that there are problems in ACM's business operations, resulting in 'certain areas where relevant standards or national frameworks are not being met, or are being met to a lesser extent.' The ACM oversees various markets in the Netherlands including energy, telecom, healthcare, transport and postal services; it monitors compliance with regulations and protects consumer interests. With more and more digital legislation being introduced in the last years, the mandate of the ACM has expanded and it now also oversees companies' compliance with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), rules to ensure fair competition online and to combat illegal content and products. Martijn Snoep, the head of the ACM, told Euronews last December that his agency is 'well equipped' for the new tasks, saying that the regulator planned to have clear enforcement priorities. Staff appointments Currently, the Minister of Economic Affairs appoints the chair and other members of the ACM, nor does the agency have full control over the organisation and personnel policy relating to the rest of its staff. The regulator also lacks budgetary freedom, which, according to the reports, results in 'lack of agility'. 'This is evident, for example, in the policy areas of energy and digital markets, which will result in many new tasks and associated expenses for the ACM in the near future, both in its role as supervisor and (particularly) as regulator,' the reports say. The ACM said in a recent letter that its merger and acquisition oversight is 'currently insufficiently efficient and effective'. In addition, it initiated fewer investigations in 2024 than the previous year, which can be explained by the significant capacity allocated to probes initiated in 2023 that continued into 2024. 'The amount of fines imposed increased slightly in 2024, but has fallen sharply over the past three years compared to previous years. A significant decline in competition is particularly noticeable. [… ] While fines should not be a goal in themselves, they do contribute to the deterrent effect of oversight. This, therefore, remains a point of attention for me,' Minister Karremans said in his letter to parliament. The ACM has initiated an improvement process for its business operations, the letter said. Karremans, part of the outgoing government, said that his successor will have to decide on revising the ACM's organisational structure. The Netherlands will have a parliamentary election on 29 October.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Dutch government commits 70 million euros for AI plant
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills The Dutch government pledged 70 million euros ($82 million) on Friday for the construction of an artificial intelligence plant in the northern city of plant, which will be managed by a consortium of Dutch organisations, is intended to become a European research hub for the development of AI technologies in applications ranging from agriculture and healthcare to energy and government has also applied for European Union co-financing worth another 70 million euros for the plant, it said in a statement, potentially adding to the 60 million that the Groningen regional administration also plans to contribute."Those who do not develop the technology themselves are dependent on others. That is why we are fully committed to a strong, Dutch AI infrastructure", Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans said on the government's is looking to develop its own AI infrastructure, fearing that too much reliance on companies from an increasingly isolationist United States is a threat to Europe's economy and all goes to plan the plant will be commissioned in 2026 and will be running at full power in early 2027, the government said."This is not a luxury, but a pure necessity to maintain our digital independence and competitiveness", Karremans said.
New Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Dutch government commits 70 million euros for AI plant
AMSTERDAM: The Dutch government on Friday pledged 70 million euros (US$82 million) for the construction of an artificial intelligence plant in the northern city of Groningen. The plant, which will be managed by a consortium of Dutch organisations, is intended to become a research hub for the development of AI technologies in applications ranging from agriculture and healthcare, to energy and defence. The government has also applied for European Union co-financing worth another 70 million euros for the plant, it said in a statement, potentially adding to the 60 million that the Groningen regional administration also plans to contribute. "Those who do not develop the technology themselves are dependent on others. That is why we are fully committed to a strong, Dutch AI infrastructure", Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans said on the government's website. Europe is looking to develop its own AI infrastructure, fearing too much reliance on companies from an increasingly isolationist United States is a threat to Europe's economy and security.
CNA
27-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Dutch government commits 70 million euros for AI plant
AMSTERDAM :The Dutch government on Friday pledged 70 million euros ($82 million) for the construction of an artificial intelligence plant in the northern city of Groningen. The plant, which will be managed by a consortium of Dutch organisations, is intended to become a research hub for the development of AI technologies in applications ranging from agriculture and healthcare, to energy and defence. The government has also applied for European Union co-financing worth another 70 million euros for the plant, it said in a statement, potentially adding to the 60 million that the Groningen regional administration also plans to contribute. "Those who do not develop the technology themselves are dependent on others. That is why we are fully committed to a strong, Dutch AI infrastructure", Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans said on the government's website. Europe is looking to develop its own AI infrastructure, fearing too much reliance on companies from an increasingly isolationist United States is a threat to Europe's economy and security. ($1 = 0.8533 euros)
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Dutch government recommends children under 15 stay off TikTok and Instagram
The TikTok app logo is shown on an iPhone on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File) THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Dutch government advised parents on Tuesday not to have children under 15 use social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, citing psychological and physical problems among children using them, including panic attacks, depression and difficulties sleeping. The Ministry of Health also encouraged parents to limit how long their children spend using electronic devices, keep phones and laptops out of bedrooms, and have 20 minutes of screentime followed by two hours of outside play. The advisory 'gives children the time to further develop digital resilience and media literacy,' Vincent Karremans, caretaker deputy minister for youth and sport, said in a letter to parliament. Karremans is one of several ministers who remained on after the Dutch government collapsed earlier this month pending October elections. Both TikTok and Instagram require users to be at least 13 years of age. The guidelines, which are not legally binding, distinguish between 'social media' sites like TikTok and Instagram and 'social interaction platforms' such as messaging services WhatsApp and Signal. The social media sites have 'significantly more additive design features' that have a negative impact on children, the government said. Children can use the messaging services from age 13, the year most Dutch children start secondary school, according to the recommendations. Last year, Australia became the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from using social media. Denmark and France are considering similar legislation and Sweden issued recommendations about limiting screentime for kids last year. A group of experts, put together at the request of the Dutch parliament, found that intense screentime and social media usage can result in physical and psychological problems in children. Dutch schools have banned students from using tablets, cellphones and smart watches, with some exceptions, such as classes on media literacy. In May, some 1,400 doctors and child welfare experts in the Netherlands signed a public letter, calling on the government to ban children under 14 from having cellphones and restricting social media usage until age 16. In February, Dutch Queen Máxima said that her youngest daughter, Princess Ariane, had eyesight problems from spending too much time on mobile devices. Molly Quell, The Associated Press
