News - For Consumers

Daily digest of all European digital development news

Appeal by Data Protection Authorities: EU should "completely and definitively" abandon chat control
Appeal by Data Protection Authorities: EU should "completely and definitively" abandon chat control

Appeal by Data Protection Authorities: EU should "completely and definitively" abandon chat control

German data watchdogs urge EU lawmakers to abandon chat surveillance mandates in CSA regulation talks. They warn that mass monitoring and breaking end-to-end encryption imperil all citizens' communication security.

February 27, 2026 at 15:16
netzpolitik.org
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End of bureaucracy in Europe? Companies will be able to register in 48 hours in any Member State
End of bureaucracy in Europe? Companies will be able to register in 48 hours in any Member State

End of bureaucracy in Europe? Companies will be able to register in 48 hours in any Member State

EU launches EU Inc to slash company registration to 48 hours online across member states. This digital initiative aims to boost European competitiveness amid geopolitical challenges.

February 27, 2026 at 13:00
Pplware
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Police Law Lower Saxony: Constitutional concerns regarding planned surveillance measures
Police Law Lower Saxony: Constitutional concerns regarding planned surveillance measures

Police Law Lower Saxony: Constitutional concerns regarding planned surveillance measures

Niedersachsen's police law draft faces constitutional challenges over proposed AI surveillance powers. Experts warn these measures risk violating fundamental rights, potentially falling foul of the EU's AI Act.

February 27, 2026 at 12:45
netzpolitik.org
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Online ID: The eID is dead, long live the eID
Online ID: The eID is dead, long live the eID

Online ID: The eID is dead, long live the eID

Germany's digital ID struggles as PIN resets go offline, hindering adoption. New Sparkassen app services and a citizen communication solution may finally revive the electronic ID's potential.

February 27, 2026 at 11:57
netzpolitik.org
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S/4HANA: Some companies are planning the transition only at the end of 2030
S/4HANA: Some companies are planning the transition only at the end of 2030

S/4HANA: Some companies are planning the transition only at the end of 2030

SAP S/4HANA upgrades face delays as companies prioritize cost-efficiency. Many firms now plan their transition only by the end of 2030.

February 27, 2026 at 11:31
Heise Online
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Kommentar: Warum wir immer noch MS Teams kaufen, obwohl wir Nextcloud haben
Kommentar: Warum wir immer noch MS Teams kaufen, obwohl wir Nextcloud haben

Kommentar: Warum wir immer noch MS Teams kaufen, obwohl wir Nextcloud haben

German businesses and authorities possess sovereign digital alternatives like Nextcloud, yet fail to adopt them. Decision-makers' lack of courage hinders the crucial shift towards European digital independence.

February 27, 2026 at 11:05
Heise Online
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ProtectEU: Brussels' Digital Armament Against Terrorism
ProtectEU: Brussels' Digital Armament Against Terrorism

ProtectEU: Brussels' Digital Armament Against Terrorism

EU launches ProtectEU initiative, leveraging AI, crypto-tracking, and 3D printing research. This digital upgrade aims to combat evolving terrorist threats shifting to online spaces.

February 26, 2026 at 18:42
Heise Online
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Telekom to integrate AI assistants into mobile network
Telekom to integrate AI assistants into mobile network

Telekom to integrate AI assistants into mobile network

Deutsche Telekom pilots AI assistant for mobile calls, integrating AI into its network. The company also plans its own AI-powered smart glasses.

February 26, 2026 at 18:15
Heise Online
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Google might reshuffle search results to try to dodge fines in the EU
Google might reshuffle search results to try to dodge fines in the EU

Google might reshuffle search results to try to dodge fines in the EU

Google to test search result changes across Europe to comply with EU antitrust charges. Rival services for hotels and flights will rank higher, prioritizing competition over Google's own offerings.

February 26, 2026 at 16:18
The Verge Policy
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Interview on personal identification numbers: "Preventing the transparent citizen not only legally but also technically"
Interview on personal identification numbers: "Preventing the transparent citizen not only legally but also technically"

Interview on personal identification numbers: "Preventing the transparent citizen not only legally but also technically"

Austria's approach to unique citizen identifiers offers better data protection than Germany's plan, preventing a "transparent citizen." This method aims to digitize administration without compromising privacy.

February 26, 2026 at 13:48
netzpolitik.org
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Threema becomes quantum-safe: Partnership with IBM Research
Threema becomes quantum-safe: Partnership with IBM Research

Threema becomes quantum-safe: Partnership with IBM Research

Swiss messenger Threema partners with IBM Research to make chats quantum-proof against future supercomputers. This initiative aims to secure user privacy against advanced computing threats.

February 26, 2026 at 10:45
Heise Online
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Google is likely to change search results soon - due to a threatened DMA penalty from the EU
Google is likely to change search results soon - due to a threatened DMA penalty from the EU

Google is likely to change search results soon - due to a threatened DMA penalty from the EU

Google alters search results to avoid EU DMA fines, placing competitor offerings more prominently. This move aims to comply with EU competition law, preventing significant penalties.

February 26, 2026 at 05:04
Heise Online
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Federal Network Agency wants to ease Telekom regulation in four cities
Federal Network Agency wants to ease Telekom regulation in four cities

Federal Network Agency wants to ease Telekom regulation in four cities

Bundesnetzagentur proposes easing Telekom regulation in four German cities, a first for the country's broadband market. This move could reshape competition and infrastructure development.

February 25, 2026 at 17:29
Heise Online
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Chat Control is in the final stretch – but it could be a marathon, not a sprint
Chat Control is in the final stretch – but it could be a marathon, not a sprint

Chat Control is in the final stretch – but it could be a marathon, not a sprint

EU lawmakers near a deal on Chat Control, but mandatory age verification threatens private communications. This could severely limit privacy and free speech for millions across the bloc.

February 25, 2026 at 14:02
EDRI
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European alternatives to Gmail and Outlook: the best email providers made in Europe
European alternatives to Gmail and Outlook: the best email providers made in Europe

European alternatives to Gmail and Outlook: the best email providers made in Europe

European firms offer privacy-focused email alternatives to Gmail and Outlook. Proton Mail, based in Switzerland, provides end-to-end encryption and a free basic service, with paid plans starting at €3....

February 25, 2026 at 13:44
Xataka
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heise+ | Ionos Nextcloud Workspace: Microsoft-365-Alternative under test
heise+ | Ionos Nextcloud Workspace: Microsoft-365-Alternative under test

heise+ | Ionos Nextcloud Workspace: Microsoft-365-Alternative under test

Ionos launches a hosted Nextcloud Workspace, challenging Microsoft 365 with an integrated online office suite. The German web host aims to provide a European alternative for productivity tools.

February 25, 2026 at 12:00
Heise Online
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Data Protection Reform: Member States Distance Themselves from EU Commission's Plans
Data Protection Reform: Member States Distance Themselves from EU Commission's Plans

Data Protection Reform: Member States Distance Themselves from EU Commission's Plans

EU member states push back against the Commission's "Digital Omnibus" plans, signaling a departure from proposed data regulation overhauls. This move impacts the swift revision of key European digital laws currently under negotiation.

February 24, 2026 at 18:47
netzpolitik.org
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Everyone wants to take the throne from ASML. Today ASML has decided the throne is higher
Everyone wants to take the throne from ASML. Today ASML has decided the throne is higher

Everyone wants to take the throne from ASML. Today ASML has decided the throne is higher

ASML unveils EUV light source advance, boosting chip production by 50% by 2030. This innovation intensifies the global race for semiconductor manufacturing dominance.

February 24, 2026 at 15:30
Xataka
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Spain has just plugged in more batteries in one month than in three years: this is the plan to store our cheapest energy
Spain has just plugged in more batteries in one month than in three years: this is the plan to store our cheapest energy

Spain has just plugged in more batteries in one month than in three years: this is the plan to store our cheapest energy

Spain dramatically accelerates battery storage deployment, connecting over 57MW in January 2026 alone. This surge aims for 22....

February 24, 2026 at 15:00
Xataka
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United Kingdom will regulate Netflix and other streaming services like traditional televisions
United Kingdom will regulate Netflix and other streaming services like traditional televisions

United Kingdom will regulate Netflix and other streaming services like traditional televisions

UK mandates Netflix and streaming rivals meet traditional TV content rules. New regulations aim to level the playing field for all broadcasters and platforms.

February 24, 2026 at 15:00
Pplware
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