News - For Consumers
Daily digest of all European digital development news
Apple complains in unusually harsh words about the EU Commission
Apple fiercely criticizes the EU Commission, accusing it of hypocrisy regarding conflicting regulations. The tech giant claims new laws force it to weaken security while claiming to protect users.
"Digital Omnibus": EU Commission wants to gut General Data Protection Regulation and AI regulation
Brussels plans a major overhaul of European digital regulations, presenting a "digital omnibus" proposal in November. The plan aims to simplify rules related to data protection, data usage, cybersecurity, and AI regulations.
Nexperia had the entire European automotive industry in check. We have good news
The Netherlands may drop its control over semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia if China allows the export of critical chips again. China has lifted the export ban on Nexperia's semiconductors, which threatened to halt global automotive production.
Following Databroker Files: Circular warns EU employees of danger from tracking
EU staff are warned of potential risks from tracking, following revelations about location data sold by data brokers. A new internal email from the EU Commission advises employees on how to protect themselves from surveillance through mobile data.
Cookie Manager: Condemned to fail without obligation
German regulators certified Consenter, a new consent management platform, to give users more control over their data online. The service aims to simplify managing cookie permissions, but its effectiveness depends on website and tracking firm compliance.
Apple removes a convenience feature from its smartwatch for EU users
Apple is removing automatic Wi-Fi synchronization between iPhones and Apple Watches for EU users with iOS 26. 2....
Digital Euro: While Parliament argues, development continues
The European Parliament is divided on the digital Euro, with debates intensifying due to disagreements over its implementation. While the Parliament argues, the European Central Bank continues advancing the digital currency's development, pushing forward with the project.
Digital Omnibus: EU Commission apparently aims for a sweeping reduction in data protection
Brussels is reportedly planning major cuts to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as part of its "digital omnibus" proposal. The move aims to simplify digital regulations but could weaken data protection for Europeans.
Agreement moves closer: EU Council could abandon mandatory chat control
The EU Council may scrap mandatory chat control, potentially ending years of debate over scanning private communications. A compromise proposal from Denmark could secure agreement, with Germany signaling approval.
Doctolib fined 4.6 million euros for abuse of dominant position: the French unicorn denounces "a worrying signal"
Doctolib, the French healthcare tech unicorn, faces a record €4. 6 million fine for abusing its dominant market position....
'iOS 26.2 disables convenient Wi-Fi feature between iPhone and Apple Watch in the EU': this is why
Apple is disabling a convenient Wi-Fi syncing feature between iPhones and Apple Watches in the EU with iOS 26. 2....
Office alternative from Germany by Ionos and Nextcloud is now available
Ionos and Nextcloud launch "Workspace," a German alternative to Microsoft 365, to boost digital sovereignty. The service aims to provide a secure option, avoiding reliance on US-based cloud services.
Tesla Launches Its “MultiPass” in France to Facilitate the Charging of Its Vehicles
Tesla rolls out its "MultiPass" in France, allowing drivers to locate and pay for third-party charging stations directly. This new feature simplifies the charging process for Tesla owners by integrating various charging networks.
European Parliament backs Europol expansion: “A dangerous step towards mass surveillance in the EU”
The European Parliament approved a new Europol Regulation, prompting strong criticism of potential mass surveillance. Civil society and the European Data Protection Supervisor raised warnings about the Facilitators Package expansion, which passed with 59 votes in favor.
Photo giant Getty fails with copyright lawsuit against AI tool
A London court mostly sided with Stability AI in Getty Images' copyright lawsuit, impacting AI training's legal landscape. The ruling found no copyright infringement, though key questions on AI and image rights remain unresolved.
Cover letters were a treasure for recruiters, until AI turned them into wet paper
The rise of AI has devalued cover letters in job applications, diminishing their impact on hiring decisions. A Princeton and Dartmouth College study analyzing 2....
Evaristo.ai: the Portuguese AI that knows everything about public services
Portuguese university Ciências ULisboa launched Evaristo. ai, an AI chatbot providing information on Portuguese public services....
Business AI with little training effort: SAP announces SAP-RPT-1
SAP unveils SAP RPT-1, a relational foundation model designed to forecast business operations with minimal training. The platform also introduces new agents for SAP Joule.
First bloom: increased consumer choice after eighteen months of the DMA
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is showing early consumer benefits after eighteen months of implementation, giving users more digital choices. iOS users can now select default browsers and apps, make contactless payments outside Apple Pay, and create Google accounts without Gmail.
Live translation with AirPods will come to Germany in 2025
Apple will launch live translation for AirPods in the EU by December, finally bringing the feature to the continent. The company cites the Digital Markets Act as the reason for the delay, with real-time translation across nine languages available.