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

Friday: Complaint for Online Traumatization, Google Plan for App Sideloading
Google plans to limit app sideloading on Android, frustrating developers. Meanwhile, a new Digital Act targets online trauma for minors, impacting platform responsibility.

EDRi-gram, 18 March 2026
EU lawmakers question mandatory scanning of private messages for illicit content. Digital rights groups warn this proposal threatens end-to-end encryption and online privacy for millions.

Five lessons from three years of risk assessments under the Digital Services Act
DSA risk assessments fail to deliver transparency or accountability for Big Tech, according to ECNL's analysis. Three years of these reports show major gaps, questioning their usefulness for millions of users.

DSA vs. Reality: Are children safer online?
EU lawmakers questioned Big Tech on child safety post-DSA, but YouTube, TikTok, and Meta evaded scrutiny. Experts urged stronger enforcement to protect young users online.

The Digital Omnibus: A step back from the brink, but the risks remain
EU Council's "Digital Omnibus" drops key GDPR/ePrivacy threats but risks linger. Unresolved AI, terminal equipment rules and AI development provisions could still dilute safeguards.

X is the main channel of disinformation against the EU: politicians are the main target
X is the top channel for EU disinformation targeting politicians, a new report finds. The platform faces scrutiny amid growing concerns over foreign influence campaigns impacting political discourse.

heise Offer: iX Workshop: Securely Setting Up and Operating Microsoft 365 in Compliance with Data Protection
iX workshop offers guidance on secure Microsoft 365 setup and GDPR compliance. Learn essential data protection and information security measures for your tenant.

Users still stuck in the mud: An analysis of Meta’s 2026 changes to its consent-for-ads mechanism against EU law
Consumers group BEUC argues Meta's latest ad consent changes still defy EU digital laws. The Digital Markets Act and GDPR are cited, with calls for hefty penalties against Meta.

Meta's latest consent-for-ads model still unlawful according to consumer groups’ analysis
Consumer groups find Meta's latest ad model still violates EU law. The model fails to offer genuine consent options for personalized ads, potentially breaking DMA and GDPR rules.

Goodbye cash? The digital euro is coming soon to France, and it's not unanimous
Digital Euro is set to launch in France, sparking debate among banks. This new digital currency aims to transform daily transactions and European financial systems.

Cabify and Uber have a serious problem in Barcelona: the new "Taxi Law" from Catalonia seeks to exclude VTCs
Catalonia's new taxi law targets ride-sharing VTCs like Uber and Cabify, potentially barring them from Barcelona. The regional government advances the regulation, supported by key parties, to protect traditional taxis.

Right to broadband: Caught in Elon Musk's safety net
Elon Musk's Starlink fills a void in Germany's internet access rights, where few can secure faster connections. The satellite service becomes a crucial backup for underserved households struggling with slow, unreliable infrastructure.

AI Update Compact: AI Act, Groundsource, NemoClaw, Perplexity Computer
EU lawmakers push AI Act forward, targeting AI development and deployment risks. Perplexity AI announces new desktop computer, shifting focus from pure search to integrated AI experiences.

Civil society calls for an ambitious Digital Fairness Act on World Consumer Rights Day
Civil society urges a strong Digital Fairness Act, targeting manipulative online models and harmful practices. This call amplifies existing recommendations for a rights-based approach to digital fairness.

Omnibus AI Act: Deadline Extension and Deepfake Ban
EU lawmakers delay high-risk AI bans, adding a crucial deepfake prohibition. This shift impacts AI deployment timelines and content integrity regulations across the bloc.

If the controversy is that AI steals works in its training, the European Union has the solution: that they license them
EU proposes licensing copyrighted works for AI training, tackling "borrowed" content. AI firms must pay creators, moving from unauthorized use to regulated data acquisition.

Data centers have run out of "plugs" in central Europe, so they are migrating north and south
AI's surge strains European power grids, forcing data centers from key hubs like Frankfurt and London north and south. Over 80% of Dublin's power now goes to data centers, leading to a de facto moratorium until 2028.

GrapheneOS & Co.: More data protection for Android with custom ROMs | c’t uplink
Android users can now enhance privacy with custom ROMs like GrapheneOS. Experts explain improvements with and without these specialized operating systems in c't uplink.

Blue Tick: Elon Musk's platform X reacts to EU penalty threat
X, formerly Twitter, submits initial Digital Services Act compliance proposals to the EU. The platform aims to address violations ahead of potential EU penalties.

"A historic turning point": Revolut becomes a real bank, here's what changes
Fintech Revolut secures a full banking license in Europe, allowing it to offer traditional banking services. This significant move expands its reach and solidifies its position against established financial institutions.
