News - For Consumers
Daily digest of all European digital development news

Sale of illegal products: Shein must now answer to the European Commission
Brussels demands information from Shein regarding illegal product sales, following a scandal in France. This marks the third such request from the EU Commission under the Digital Services Act.

The EU is studying the designation of 2 new Apple products for increased regulatory oversight
Brussels is reviewing whether to designate Apple Ads and Apple Plans under the Digital Markets Act, potentially increasing regulatory scrutiny. This follows the services exceeding the DMA's threshold for designation.

Checkbook: value rises to 60 euros and becomes valid for e-books
The Portuguese government expanded its "book-cheque" program to include e-books for 18-year-olds in 2026. This allows them to spend €60 on physical books and digital publications.

We already know who to thank for Google having made AirDrop also work with Android phones: the European Union
Brussels's push for interoperability between Android and iOS resulted in Google's Quick Share supporting Apple's AirDrop. This update allows for direct file sharing between Android and iOS devices using Wi-Fi.

President of the Republic promulgates new Cybersecurity Law (NIS2)
Portugal's President signed the new Cybersecurity Law (NIS2) into law, strengthening the legal framework for cybersecurity. The new law imposes new obligations on public and private entities deemed critical.

Qwant vs Microsoft: France Doesn't Side with the French Browser, Americans Rejoice
French search engine Qwant's complaint against Microsoft was rejected by the Competition Authority, a blow to the European platform. Microsoft avoids sanctions, while Qwant prepares a response to the decision.

6 GHz and more: Google ignites the mobile hotspot turbo in Android
Google is boosting mobile hotspot performance in Android, adding the 6 GHz frequency for faster speeds. This move follows the use of the 2....

Your IP address can make you be located or impersonated. You can protect it with a VPN for less than 2 euros a month
A VPN can protect your IP address from being used to locate you or impersonate you online. Surfshark offers a VPN plan for only €1....

Digital Sovereignty: How the EU Obscures Free Software
The EU's digital sovereignty push, discussed at a recent summit, emphasizes European tech independence. However, civil society groups argue that open-source solutions are more crucial than origin, as Denmark moves to wean itself off Microsoft, spurred by political pressures.

Interview on WhatsApp: From Emojis to the Mega Data Leak
Austrian researchers exposed a massive data leak, uncovering 3. 5 billion WhatsApp user profiles....

noyb win: Conde Nast fined €750,000 for placing cookies without consent
Brussels levied a €750,000 fine against Condé Nast, publisher of Vanity Fair, for illegally placing cookies without user consent. The French Data Protection Authority (DPA) issued the penalty on November 27, 2025.

WhatsApp: Meta bans AI competitors like ChatGPT and Copilot
Meta is banning AI competitors like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT from WhatsApp starting in January 2026. This move, enforced through updated terms of service, will impact IT professionals and user chat history.

Europe is dismantling its digital rights from within
Brussels weakens digital rights by introducing its new Digital Omnibus, dismantling key safeguards within the GDPR, ePrivacy rules, and the AI Act. This action makes accessing device data easier, lowers protections against discriminatory AI, and weakens limits on automated decision-making.

We already have fake GTA VI videos circulating on the internet and made with AI. The implications are more serious than they seem
Fake trailers for the upcoming game GTA VI, created using AI, have gone viral. The videos, published by channels like Teaser Universe, have garnered hundreds of thousands of views and were even promoted by Google.

One of the best VPNs, for 2.99 euros a month and with three extra months: NordVPN's Black Friday is about to end
NordVPN is offering a Black Friday deal with its VPN service for just €2. 99 per month with extra months included....

ChatGPT and Copilot are being booted out of WhatsApp
ChatGPT and Copilot will leave WhatsApp due to the app's new terms of service, which ban AI chatbots not made by Meta. The changes, effective January 15, 2026, will restrict third-party AI access, leaving Meta AI as the only option.

Profit: EU governments no longer want to force platforms to read along with the user
European Union member states have reached an agreement opposing mandatory platform surveillance of user messages on services like WhatsApp. This victory follows years of debate on a controversial proposal, though the compromise isn't perfect, it's a step forward.

Study - “The economic costs of weakening privacy and data protection” | Terms of Reference
Brussels is assessing the economic impact of weakened privacy and data protection regulations, prompted by proposed changes to GDPR. The study will consider the costs to consumers if privacy is inadequately protected.

Mail and the DGT are already very well-known, so the scammers have changed their target: an app to pay for parking
A new phishing scam targets users of the parking app Telpark, attempting to steal banking information. Cybercriminals are sending emails falsely claiming account suspension due to unpaid fees, directing users to a fake payment portal.

Europe had been asking for a major statement. Revolut has just made it with an enormous valuation
Revolut, the London-based fintech, achieved a staggering $75 billion valuation, solidifying its position as Europe's most valuable startup. The valuation comes after a share sale involving major tech investment funds, and the company now has over 65 million global customers.
