News - For Consumers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Brussels' "Digital Omnibus" proposal, which aims to simplify digital regulations, faces strong opposition over potential weakening of AI and data protection rules. Four parliamentary factions criticize the move, setting up a potential clash with conservatives who generally support it.

WhatsApp launches interoperability, enabling users to chat with other messaging apps within its platform. This feature rollout, driven by European regulations, allows users to communicate with other platforms directly from WhatsApp, despite not being available to all users yet.

The EU's Digital Omnibus, designed to impact citizen rights, is being misrepresented in the media, focusing on cookie banner simplification. The actual law undermines data access, delays AI regulation, and broadens companies' data usage justifications.

Brussels plans to delay rules for high-risk AI systems and weaken data protection with its "Digital Omnibus" package. Industry groups are applauding the move, but consumer advocates are sounding the alarm.

Meta was ordered to pay 479 million euros to 87 Spanish news outlets for unfair competition by Madrid's Mercantile Court. The court found Meta used illicit personal data on Facebook and Instagram for behavioral advertising, violating GDPR.

German lawmakers are pushing to accelerate court proceedings through digital transformation, aiming to ease citizen access to justice. However, critics claim the new law disadvantages defendants in civil cases....

Brussels’s digital omnibus regulation faces criticism, as it's seen as undermining fundamental digital rights rather than simplifying data protection. The planned revision of several digital laws, including the AI Act and GDPR, is widely viewed as a setback.

Brussels is rolling back core digital protections with its new Digital Omnibus proposals, threatening the EU's rules-based system. The changes endanger the foundation of human rights and tech policy.

The EU plans to overhaul its cookie consent policies, aiming to drastically reduce the number of annoying pop-ups users face. New rules will allow users to set browser-level cookie preferences, simplifying the online experience across all of Europe.