News - For Consumers

Italian regulators are forcing Meta to open WhatsApp's AI functionality, "Meta AI," to competitors. This move follows complaints about Meta's exclusive control over AI features within the popular messaging app.

Webshops across the EU can no longer force customers to create accounts before buying products, according to new recommendations. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) clarified that mandatory accounts for online purchases often violate privacy rules, addressing long-standing consumer complaints.

Spain begins shutting down 2G and 3G mobile networks to free up radio spectrum for 5G. The government opened a public consultation, with a goal to disconnect the older networks by January 2026.

Portugal's new cybersecurity law, Decree-Law No. 125/2025, goes into effect, implementing the NIS 2 directive....

Brussels gears up for significant changes in IT law in 2026, impacting cybersecurity, AI, and platform regulation. Key updates stem from NIS2, the AI Act, and a new EU procurement strategy.

French startup C12 secured €13. 9 million in public funding from the France 2030 plan, aiming to build a universal quantum computer....

Spanish telecom provider Digi will not raise prices in 2026, bucking the trend of competitors like Vodafone, Movistar, and Orange. The announcement contrasts with rising costs planned by the larger telecom companies for fiber and mobile services.

Amazon reduced its Barcelona office layoffs from 978 to 791 employees after union negotiations. The agreement includes voluntary departures and internal relocations to soften the impact of the job cuts.

Portugal's new Cybersecurity Law, implementing NIS 2, places greater responsibility on Management, Direction, and Administration bodies. The law's changes aim to reinforce cybersecurity measures across the country.

Telefónica is exiting the New York Stock Exchange after nearly four decades of trading, citing high administrative costs. The Spanish telecom giant's shares will cease trading on Wall Street in the coming days, focusing solely on the Madrid market.

SFR, a French telecom operator, suffered a major cyberattack that exposed customer data to a large-scale data breach. Details regarding the exact amount of data compromised remain undisclosed at this time.

Meta has removed numerous accounts linked to gender rights and abortion advocacy on Instagram and Facebook, raising concerns about censorship. The removals, including accounts in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK, may violate the Digital Services Act with a noticeable increase in restricted accounts.

The German Federal Network Agency introduced a new tool to assess minimum internet speeds, mandating users complete ten measurements with strict pause times. This tool aims to determine eligibility for official intervention regarding internet service.

Monzo, the UK-based neobank, launches in Ireland, marking its initial entry into the European Union. This move signals a strategic expansion to compete with rivals like Revolut across the continent.

Itsme, a Belgian digital identity app, replaces iDIN for online identification services in the Netherlands. Starting in 2026, Itsme will become the standard for digital verification, replacing the previous system.

Portugal's new Cybersecurity Law, transposing the NIS 2 Directive, is now in effect, impacting various entities. This decree, defined by Decree-Law No....

The Dutch Data Protection Authority fined HAN University €175,000 for failing to adequately secure personal data. The investigation revealed insufficient measures were taken to protect student and employee information.

TikTok faces scrutiny for unlawfully tracking user activity, including shopping and dating app usage, potentially violating privacy laws. The platform's off-app tracking capabilities raise concerns about data collection practices.

BEUC urges the EU to uphold consumer protections within the Digital Omnibus proposals, specifically regarding GDPR and the AI Act. The consumer organization expresses concerns that recent proposals may weaken these safeguards.

European privacy advocate Max Schrems criticizes the EU's proposed GDPR reform, arguing it needs significant changes. Schrems advocates for a reform that would ease burdens on small businesses while more strictly regulating data giants.