Henna Virkkunen

Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy of the European Commission 🇪🇺🇫🇮

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

#StandWithUkraine

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

We must harness and focus existing capabilities, networks and the legal framework to fortify the cybersecurity protecting our digital landscape.

https://t.co/316Y8Ou3qp

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

AI is transforming the meaning of cybersecurity. And we must keep pace.

Today, I presented a new Action Plan to promote the safe use of AI and strengthen Europe’s cybersecurity.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

The urgency is clear.

That is why we are putting forward a plan to:

➡️Forge Europe’s own path towards safe and responsible Advanced AI;
➡️Reinforce the EU’s cybersecurity and address vulnerabilities;
➡️Scale up European AI capabilities for cybersecurity.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

This is another important step towards a modern Customs Union that supports fair competition and Europe's economic security. 🇪🇺

https://t.co/Che3EakZK3

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

From today, a new €3 per-item customs duty applies to low-value imports entering the EU.

This helps level the playing field for European businesses, strengthens consumer protection against unsafe and counterfeit products.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

This pilot project will involve young people from different countries and backgrounds in designing and developing new European social media platforms, with a strong focus on user safety, mental health, privacy and ease of use.

🔗 https://t.co/vvHF7wQa3e

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

Social media can connect, engage & inspire.

But we cannot ignore its impact on young people.

That’s why we’ve launched a €1.48M call for proposals to create & test safer, more inclusive social media platforms and features designed with young users in mind.

#SocialMediaDay

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

Ciao Italia!

Italy is home to world-class researchers, startups & thriving technology ecosystems.

I have seen these strengths firsthand, in Milan and Bologna, while meeting researchers, entrepreneurs, startups and innovators.

This is the future I want to see for Europe.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

More than half of EU businesses rely on cloud services, alongside record levels of investment in public cloud infrastructure.

These services must operate in fair, open & competitive markets that foster innovation & Europe’s technological sovereignty.

https://t.co/uXHerVKoal

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

Cloud services have become a cornerstone of Europe’s economy, a prerequisite for AI.

We informed Microsoft and Amazon of our preliminary view that they should be designated as gatekeepers for their cloud computing services, Microsoft Azure and AWS respectively, under the DMA.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

Cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge but a strategic imperative. I had the pleasure to celebrate with @ecso_eu 10 year anniversary. ECSO has grown into an important partner of the Commission in our quest to improve security, competitiveness and tech sovereignty.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

Security threats don't stop at borders—and neither does the EU.

The Commission is boosting the fight against cross-border and online crime by giving Europol and Eurojust stronger mandates and new powers.

Read more:
https://t.co/BgJD8ocOCb

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

https://t.co/4qOnLUz4F0

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

We are allocating €5.8M to establish the first two Regional Cable Hubs in Baltic & Mediterranean Seas, while launching a €40M call to strengthen Europe’s capacity to repair submarine communication cables.

This is Europe investing in its security, resilience & tech sovereignty.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

With these first regional hubs and dedicated investment in repair capabilities, Europe is moving from concern to action: strengthening our ability to detect threats, respond more rapidly, and act collectively when our critical infrastructure is at risk.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

One message stood out throughout these days in Paris: Europe is innovating and ambitious.

We have the talent, research excellence and entrepreneurial spirit.

Now it is time for Europe to scale innovation.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

Europe is innovating & ambitious.

We have +45K startups, including thousands focused on AI. We also have more AI researchers per capita than many of our industrial competitors.

The ingredients for leadership are here.

Now it is time for Europe to scale innovation.

#VivaTech

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

We have laid the groundwork for a vibrant digital future.

The foundations of the EU’s digital transformation are in place, however the scale, speed and coordination of implementation need to go further.

https://t.co/Xw09FLYvcl

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

The State of the Digital Decade Report is out!

The message is clear: Europe has laid solid foundations for its digital transformation.

At the same time, continued efforts will be needed to achieve our common 2030 targets.

The challenge now is execution & delivery at scale.

[Henna Virkkunen @HennaVirkkunen]

Some important stats:

📶 96.8% of households now have basic 5G coverage
🌐 46.7% of EU enterprises use cloud computing
🤖 20% of EU companies currently use AI
🖱️ +60% of Europeans have at least basic digital skills