News - For Consumers

WhatsApp is rolling out third-party chats in Europe, allowing users to connect with individuals on other messaging services. This move follows new rules requiring interoperability.

Brussels aims to curtail the dominance of e-commerce giants like Temu and Shein by ending tax exemptions on small packages. The EU plans to eliminate the exemption for packages under €150, potentially by 2026, which previously cost the EU €1....

Meta is set to launch third-party chat integration within WhatsApp across Europe, complying with the Digital Markets Act. Users will soon be able to message with apps like BirdyChat and Haiket, with end-to-end encryption maintained.

A think tank urges the German government to boost investment in open-source platforms as an alternative to Big Tech. The call for action aims to shift open networks, like the Fediverse, from niche status to mainstream adoption, promoting digital sovereignty.

Vodafone and Ibercaja were ordered to refund nearly €23,000 to a customer scammed via SIM swapping. The court ruled the companies were liable after fraudsters duplicated the victim's SIM and stole the money.

Brussels launched a new investigation into Google's parent company, Alphabet, for potential Digital Markets Act violations. The EU suspects Google's search results may discriminate against news websites, impacting their visibility.

The European Commission investigates Google over potential media discrimination in its search rankings, impacting legitimate content visibility. This probes whether Google's practices violate the Digital Markets Act, especially for news outlets.

Meta secures a limited postponement in a lawsuit brought by Bits of Freedom regarding user feed choices on Instagram and Facebook. The court granted the delay after Meta argued it couldn't implement the required changes within the original two-week timeframe.

The EU's AI Act faces criticism for loopholes enabling unchecked AI use in national security and law enforcement, risking mass surveillance. EDRi affiliate, Danes je nov dan, recommends Slovenia adopt stricter safeguards to address these issues.

Civil society groups are urging the European Commission to halt the Digital Omnibus, a proposed package they claim will weaken key EU laws. The coalition of 127 organizations says the proposals would be the biggest rollback of digital rights in EU history.

The Irish media regulator is investigating X, formerly Twitter, for potential violations of the Digital Services Act regarding content moderation. Specifically, the probe focuses on whether users are informed about and can appeal content removal decisions.

A new civil society coalition demands increased commitment to open networks, urging more digital sovereignty in Europe. The group, including Wikimedia Deutschland and Mastodon gGmbH, will present its demands at the upcoming Digital Sovereignty Summit in Berlin.

WhatsApp will be forced to moderate its channels in Europe to ensure user safety and privacy. This requirement comes as a result of the EU's ongoing efforts to regulate tech giants operating within its borders.

Switzerland's researchers can now participate in Horizon Europe, Euratom, and Digital Europe programs. This move allows the Swiss to engage in projects focused on digital innovation.

The EU's AI hype is under fire as scientists criticize Ursula von der Leyen for echoing tech giants' overblown claims. They urge her to focus on AI's potential missteps instead of fueling unrealistic expectations of Artificial General Intelligence.

Brussels is set to designate WhatsApp as a "very large online platform," potentially forcing it to comply with stricter moderation rules. This move, under the Digital Services Act, would impact how WhatsApp handles content moderation and user protection across Europe.

Brussels is considering a ban on using Huawei and ZTE telecom equipment in mobile networks across the EU. This move could escalate tensions with China, potentially impacting European businesses....

European regulators are deciding how to allocate the 6 GHz frequency band, a key resource for WiFi 7 and 6G. This decision impacts the future of high-capacity wireless networks, pitting telecom operators against the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance.

Brussels's privacy watchdog, Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP), reports 75% of websites have fixed misleading cookie banners after warnings. Enforcement actions will now target the remaining holdouts to ensure user control over data.

European data privacy expert Max Schrems slams the European Commission's planned GDPR reform, calling it a fundamental rights demolition. The reform, revealed in a leaked document, threatens to overturn 40 years of European fundamental rights doctrine.