Bram Vranken
@bramvranken.bsky.social
Big Tech campaigner and researcher at @corporateeurope.org. Fighting corporate power ✊
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Good news:Bayer's immunity shield has been defeated!
If approved, it would block citizens from taking pesticide producers to court when they suffer damage to their health after using their toxic products. Senate Republicans have agreed not to revisit the issue.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
If approved, it would block citizens from taking pesticide producers to court when they suffer damage to their health after using their toxic products. Senate Republicans have agreed not to revisit the issue.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Pesticide industry ‘immunity shield’ stripped from US appropriations bill
Democrats and ‘make America healthy again’ movement pushed back on the rider in a funding bill led by Bayer
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Good news:Bayer's immunity shield has been defeated!
If approved, it would block citizens from taking pesticide producers to court when they suffer damage to their health after using their toxic products. Senate Republicans have agreed not to revisit the issue.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
If approved, it would block citizens from taking pesticide producers to court when they suffer damage to their health after using their toxic products. Senate Republicans have agreed not to revisit the issue.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Another day, another Big Tech revolving door scandal.
Former UK chancellor George Osborne is joining OpenAI.
Great to see our research on Big Tech's lobby firepower being quoted though 👉 corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
Former UK chancellor George Osborne is joining OpenAI.
Great to see our research on Big Tech's lobby firepower being quoted though 👉 corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
George Osborne getting a new job isn't exactly news. But him being the latest former politician to join a tech company pushing out AI into government absolutely is. My latest for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
George Osborne has a new job in tech, and it doesn’t bode well for Britain | Chris Stokel-Walker
OpenAI is the latest to make a political hire as big tech spreads its tentacles around the world. So what’s the attraction, asks author Chris Stokel-Walker
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Another day, another Big Tech revolving door scandal.
Former UK chancellor George Osborne is joining OpenAI.
Great to see our research on Big Tech's lobby firepower being quoted though 👉 corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
Former UK chancellor George Osborne is joining OpenAI.
Great to see our research on Big Tech's lobby firepower being quoted though 👉 corporateeurope.org/en/2025/10/b...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Ireland has one of the world's highest concentrations of data centers. The expansion has reshaped the grid & deepened fossil fuel use. As the EU pushes to triple data center capacity, Ireland offers a warning, writes Louis Boyd-Madsen. Read our investigation with @algorithmwatch.org.
What Ireland’s Data Center Crisis Means for the EU’s AI Sovereignty Plans | TechPolicy.Press
Louis Boyd-Madsen traces how a model of unregulated digital growth has outpaced energy planning in Ireland, and why it matters for the EU’s AI ambitions.
www.techpolicy.press
December 18, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Ireland has one of the world's highest concentrations of data centers. The expansion has reshaped the grid & deepened fossil fuel use. As the EU pushes to triple data center capacity, Ireland offers a warning, writes Louis Boyd-Madsen. Read our investigation with @algorithmwatch.org.
Reposted by Bram Vranken
A new report from @politico.eu on "Europe's Omnibus Fever" is damning in its criticism:
"What the Commission frames as simplification is, in practice, a downward drift in regulatory reach that erodes the informational foundations of effective governance."
#deregulation #omnibus #RuleToProtect
"What the Commission frames as simplification is, in practice, a downward drift in regulatory reach that erodes the informational foundations of effective governance."
#deregulation #omnibus #RuleToProtect
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
A new report from @politico.eu on "Europe's Omnibus Fever" is damning in its criticism:
"What the Commission frames as simplification is, in practice, a downward drift in regulatory reach that erodes the informational foundations of effective governance."
#deregulation #omnibus #RuleToProtect
"What the Commission frames as simplification is, in practice, a downward drift in regulatory reach that erodes the informational foundations of effective governance."
#deregulation #omnibus #RuleToProtect
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Great to speak to @bramvranken.bsky.social about the AI Act and recent complaint to the European Ombudsman on the opacity of the AI standardisation process. Check it out here!
AWO’s Algorithm Governance Roundup is out! This month we interviewed Bram Vranken @corporateeurope.org about mapping industry influence on the AI Act, the AI standardisation process which has "run into serious trouble" & its complaint to the EU Ombudsman.👇
eomail5.com/web-version?...
eomail5.com/web-version?...
Algorithm Governance Roundup #26
Community Spotlight: Bram Vranken, Corporate Europe Observatory | Digital Omnibus published
eomail5.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Great to speak to @bramvranken.bsky.social about the AI Act and recent complaint to the European Ombudsman on the opacity of the AI standardisation process. Check it out here!
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Corporate lobbying is heating up on the digital omnibus - a Commission proposal that'd axe our digital rights 🪓
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
aichamber.eu
December 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Corporate lobbying is heating up on the digital omnibus - a Commission proposal that'd axe our digital rights 🪓
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
Last week lobby groups published a letter calling for "meaningful deregulation".
🧐 But what seems like a letter from European industry, actually has Big Tech fingerprints all over it.
🧵
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Bringing the disruption to Brussels: The European Commission encourages its managers to draft policy-making documents with AI, including "explaining/summarising legislative initiatives". According to a newly released Commission document, this will "boost your team's productivity". 🫢
December 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Bringing the disruption to Brussels: The European Commission encourages its managers to draft policy-making documents with AI, including "explaining/summarising legislative initiatives". According to a newly released Commission document, this will "boost your team's productivity". 🫢
Will the deregulation of our digital rights by the EU happen with the support of the far right? 🤨
That's what Meta seems to be aiming for, with 3 lobby meetings with far-right MEPs this week alone.
VDL's deregulation agenda isn't just opening the door to Big Tech, it's inviting the far right in.
That's what Meta seems to be aiming for, with 3 lobby meetings with far-right MEPs this week alone.
VDL's deregulation agenda isn't just opening the door to Big Tech, it's inviting the far right in.
December 12, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Will the deregulation of our digital rights by the EU happen with the support of the far right? 🤨
That's what Meta seems to be aiming for, with 3 lobby meetings with far-right MEPs this week alone.
VDL's deregulation agenda isn't just opening the door to Big Tech, it's inviting the far right in.
That's what Meta seems to be aiming for, with 3 lobby meetings with far-right MEPs this week alone.
VDL's deregulation agenda isn't just opening the door to Big Tech, it's inviting the far right in.
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Today it's exactly 6 years ago that EU Commission President Von der Leyen announced the European Green Deal, which she called "Europe's Man on the Moon moment" 🎂
Von der Leyen's priority today? Acting on corporate demands for #deregulation, recklessly rolling back environment and health standards 😡
Von der Leyen's priority today? Acting on corporate demands for #deregulation, recklessly rolling back environment and health standards 😡
December 11, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Today it's exactly 6 years ago that EU Commission President Von der Leyen announced the European Green Deal, which she called "Europe's Man on the Moon moment" 🎂
Von der Leyen's priority today? Acting on corporate demands for #deregulation, recklessly rolling back environment and health standards 😡
Von der Leyen's priority today? Acting on corporate demands for #deregulation, recklessly rolling back environment and health standards 😡
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Corporate lobby groups demand a “social omnibus” to roll back workers’ rights ⚠️
Lobby groups linked to BusinessEurope call for #deregulation of the pay transparency directive, posted workers directive, etc.
Read more in our new post on 🔍 Deregulation Watch 🔎 www.corporateeurope.org/en/deregulat...
Lobby groups linked to BusinessEurope call for #deregulation of the pay transparency directive, posted workers directive, etc.
Read more in our new post on 🔍 Deregulation Watch 🔎 www.corporateeurope.org/en/deregulat...
Deregulation Watch | Corporate Europe Observatory
Check out our new posts on Deregulation Watch which helps civil society monitor new developments in the deregulation agenda, assess what’s at stake, and organise in defence of strong social, environme...
www.corporateeurope.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Corporate lobby groups demand a “social omnibus” to roll back workers’ rights ⚠️
Lobby groups linked to BusinessEurope call for #deregulation of the pay transparency directive, posted workers directive, etc.
Read more in our new post on 🔍 Deregulation Watch 🔎 www.corporateeurope.org/en/deregulat...
Lobby groups linked to BusinessEurope call for #deregulation of the pay transparency directive, posted workers directive, etc.
Read more in our new post on 🔍 Deregulation Watch 🔎 www.corporateeurope.org/en/deregulat...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Ever heard of cheesing?* 🧀
It's the perfect way to describe the game that's played by decisionmakers to destroy environmental & human rights protections:
1. Cheap tricks
2. Unfair
3. Overly easy
Watch & let us know who you nominate for BIGGEST cheese⁉️
#Deregulator
youtu.be/IyWvUzR5y2M?...
It's the perfect way to describe the game that's played by decisionmakers to destroy environmental & human rights protections:
1. Cheap tricks
2. Unfair
3. Overly easy
Watch & let us know who you nominate for BIGGEST cheese⁉️
#Deregulator
youtu.be/IyWvUzR5y2M?...
The deregulator
YouTube video by Friends of the Earth Europe
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Ever heard of cheesing?* 🧀
It's the perfect way to describe the game that's played by decisionmakers to destroy environmental & human rights protections:
1. Cheap tricks
2. Unfair
3. Overly easy
Watch & let us know who you nominate for BIGGEST cheese⁉️
#Deregulator
youtu.be/IyWvUzR5y2M?...
It's the perfect way to describe the game that's played by decisionmakers to destroy environmental & human rights protections:
1. Cheap tricks
2. Unfair
3. Overly easy
Watch & let us know who you nominate for BIGGEST cheese⁉️
#Deregulator
youtu.be/IyWvUzR5y2M?...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
AI is a climate issue. AI is a climate crisis.
A few important points here
- Generative AI supercharged data centre growth: lobbyist and substacker lines pretending like this is just streaming are false
- Even when you consider much of the projected growth is speculative, the *likely* projects are still MASSIVE
media.licdn.com/dms/document...
- Generative AI supercharged data centre growth: lobbyist and substacker lines pretending like this is just streaming are false
- Even when you consider much of the projected growth is speculative, the *likely* projects are still MASSIVE
media.licdn.com/dms/document...
December 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
AI is a climate issue. AI is a climate crisis.
Reposted by Bram Vranken
🚨 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨’𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗳𝘆 (𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁) 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴
With Investigate Europe & EUobserver, we track how EU transparency is being pushed back – from the new "Infosec" bill to Gaza, von der Leyen’s messages & pressure on Aarhus.
Read it here: www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
With Investigate Europe & EUobserver, we track how EU transparency is being pushed back – from the new "Infosec" bill to Gaza, von der Leyen’s messages & pressure on Aarhus.
Read it here: www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
December 9, 2025 at 8:54 AM
🚨 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨’𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗳𝘆 (𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁) 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴
With Investigate Europe & EUobserver, we track how EU transparency is being pushed back – from the new "Infosec" bill to Gaza, von der Leyen’s messages & pressure on Aarhus.
Read it here: www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
With Investigate Europe & EUobserver, we track how EU transparency is being pushed back – from the new "Infosec" bill to Gaza, von der Leyen’s messages & pressure on Aarhus.
Read it here: www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Trump's new National Security Strategy is a mask-off moment, it reads like it was written by a cartoon fascist.
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
December 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Trump's new National Security Strategy is a mask-off moment, it reads like it was written by a cartoon fascist.
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
The US aims to save Europe from itself by [checks notes] backing far right parties in the EU and restoring our “civilizational self-confidence and Western identity”…. 1/
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Lobbyonderzoeker Olivier Hoedeman (Corporate Europe Observatory): ‘Beleid moet over meer gaan dan alleen economie en het bedrijfsleven. Het dient ook om de samenleving en de ecologie te beschermen.’ www.mo.be/interview/be...
‘Ik hoor van bedrijfslobbyisten in Brussel dat hun politieke mogelijkheden groter zijn dan ooit’ – MO*
Het werk van waakhonden is volgens Olivier Hoedeman van CEO belangrijker dan ooit.
buff.ly
December 7, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Lobbyonderzoeker Olivier Hoedeman (Corporate Europe Observatory): ‘Beleid moet over meer gaan dan alleen economie en het bedrijfsleven. Het dient ook om de samenleving en de ecologie te beschermen.’ www.mo.be/interview/be...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
“The EU’s Quality Jobs Roadmap is testament to a growing European consensus on public procurement. The Commission acknowledges that promoting collective bargaining in public contracts can build quality jobs for workers across Europe,” said UNI Europa Regional Secretary Oliver Roethig.
EU Commission commits to use public procurement for quality jobs
The EU’s Quality Jobs Roadmap commits the EU Commission to present a public procurement framework that strengthens collective bargaining.
www.uni-europa.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:58 AM
“The EU’s Quality Jobs Roadmap is testament to a growing European consensus on public procurement. The Commission acknowledges that promoting collective bargaining in public contracts can build quality jobs for workers across Europe,” said UNI Europa Regional Secretary Oliver Roethig.
Reposted by Bram Vranken
The Atlas Network, founded in 1981, has 589 think tanks in 103 countries that finance the hatred and hoaxes of the extreme right. The objective: to protect the privileges of capital owners. Available in EN, ES, PT-BR, DE, FR, IT, TU and AR.
Atlas Network: Disinformation as a Weapon of Neoliberalism
The organization, founded in 1981, has 589 think tanks in 103 countries that finance the hatred and hoaxes of the extreme right. The objective: to protect the privileges of capital owners.
buff.ly
December 4, 2025 at 9:28 AM
The Atlas Network, founded in 1981, has 589 think tanks in 103 countries that finance the hatred and hoaxes of the extreme right. The objective: to protect the privileges of capital owners. Available in EN, ES, PT-BR, DE, FR, IT, TU and AR.
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Must read article on how"the EU’s 'simplification' drive is turning into a bonanza for corporate lobbyists" #deregulation #corporatecapture
www.euractiv.com/news/counter...
www.euractiv.com/news/counter...
Counterinsurgency: How Europe’s business lobby retook the Berlaymont | Euractiv
The EU’s 'simplification' drive is turning into a bonanza for corporate lobbyists
www.euractiv.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Must read article on how"the EU’s 'simplification' drive is turning into a bonanza for corporate lobbyists" #deregulation #corporatecapture
www.euractiv.com/news/counter...
www.euractiv.com/news/counter...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
like big tobacco funding cancer research
December 1, 2025 at 11:42 PM
like big tobacco funding cancer research
Reposted by Bram Vranken
📣 NEWS! Last week a key paper defending #glyphosate, ghostwritten by #Monsanto (now #Bayer), is retracted after undermining safety decisions for 25 years!
👉 This should lead to the EU to reconsider glyphosate's permit on the EU market.
😡 But EC and Big Polluters team up to weaken safety rules
👉 This should lead to the EU to reconsider glyphosate's permit on the EU market.
😡 But EC and Big Polluters team up to weaken safety rules
December 1, 2025 at 11:39 AM
📣 NEWS! Last week a key paper defending #glyphosate, ghostwritten by #Monsanto (now #Bayer), is retracted after undermining safety decisions for 25 years!
👉 This should lead to the EU to reconsider glyphosate's permit on the EU market.
😡 But EC and Big Polluters team up to weaken safety rules
👉 This should lead to the EU to reconsider glyphosate's permit on the EU market.
😡 But EC and Big Polluters team up to weaken safety rules
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Amazon exploits its workers, fuels AI warfare, and destroys the climate. To protect its problematic business practices, it is rapidly expanding its lobby power in Europe
🤜 The EU must listen to its workers and citizens and stand up to Amazon.
Time to Make Amazon Pay
euobserver.com/health-and-s...
🤜 The EU must listen to its workers and citizens and stand up to Amazon.
Time to Make Amazon Pay
euobserver.com/health-and-s...
Instead of Black Friday, unions call for Make Amazon Pay Day
Amazon workers in over 30 countries are striking this 'Black Friday' weekend, demanding fair wages, union rights, and environmental accountability. The "Make Amazon Pay" campaign marks its sixth year ...
euobserver.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Amazon exploits its workers, fuels AI warfare, and destroys the climate. To protect its problematic business practices, it is rapidly expanding its lobby power in Europe
🤜 The EU must listen to its workers and citizens and stand up to Amazon.
Time to Make Amazon Pay
euobserver.com/health-and-s...
🤜 The EU must listen to its workers and citizens and stand up to Amazon.
Time to Make Amazon Pay
euobserver.com/health-and-s...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
✊ Today workers across Europe are taking action against Amazon.
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
November 28, 2025 at 9:56 AM
✊ Today workers across Europe are taking action against Amazon.
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
❌ Amazon exploits its workers
❌ Has close ties with the Israeli military
❌ Is a monopolist
As the company is under intense scrutiny, it has ramped up its lobby power in the EU 🧵
#MakeAmazonPay
corporateeurope.org/en/2025/11/w...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
As Amazon workers and their allies strike and protest in over 35 countries today, UNI Europa Regional Secretary Oliver Roethig argues that Europe shouldn't submit to the deregulatory pressure from Amazon and Trump.
#MakeAmazonPay
#MakeAmazonPay
No to techno-authoritarianism
Black Friday reminds us who pays the price for Amazon’s booming profits and the political deals driving them
www.ips-journal.eu
November 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM
As Amazon workers and their allies strike and protest in over 35 countries today, UNI Europa Regional Secretary Oliver Roethig argues that Europe shouldn't submit to the deregulatory pressure from Amazon and Trump.
#MakeAmazonPay
#MakeAmazonPay
Reposted by Bram Vranken
We have found a number of procedural shortcomings in how @ec.europa.eu prepared legislative proposals that it considered urgent.
The proposals concerned:
☑️ Corporate sustainability (Omnibus I)
☑️ Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
☑️ Countering migrant smuggling
www.ombudsman.europa.eu/press-releas...
The proposals concerned:
☑️ Corporate sustainability (Omnibus I)
☑️ Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
☑️ Countering migrant smuggling
www.ombudsman.europa.eu/press-releas...
November 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM
We have found a number of procedural shortcomings in how @ec.europa.eu prepared legislative proposals that it considered urgent.
The proposals concerned:
☑️ Corporate sustainability (Omnibus I)
☑️ Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
☑️ Countering migrant smuggling
www.ombudsman.europa.eu/press-releas...
The proposals concerned:
☑️ Corporate sustainability (Omnibus I)
☑️ Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
☑️ Countering migrant smuggling
www.ombudsman.europa.eu/press-releas...
Reposted by Bram Vranken
Is the EU giving away your personal data for AI?
Fewer cookies: Is the EU giving away your personal data for AI?
"External pressure from the US and from large platforms is obvious. They have pushed for years for looser data protection."
www.brusselstimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Is the EU giving away your personal data for AI?