News - For Consumers

Daily digest of all European digital development news

heise+ | Standards as Law: How Standards are Shaping the AI Act
heise+ | Standards as Law: How Standards are Shaping the AI Act

heise+ | Standards as Law: How Standards are Shaping the AI Act

EU's AI Act links mandatory regulation with standardization, turning technical norms into a legal tool. This approach aims to shape AI development and compliance across the bloc.

March 9, 2026 at 15:00
Heise Online
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Spain is preparing a data center specifically intended to have an AI for war. The surprise: it's in Soria
Spain is preparing a data center specifically intended to have an AI for war. The surprise: it's in Soria

Spain is preparing a data center specifically intended to have an AI for war. The surprise: it's in Soria

Spain launches Numant-IA, a new data center in Soria dedicated to artificial intelligence for defense. The project integrates advanced computing and algorithms, marking a significant step in Spain's technological military capabilities.

March 9, 2026 at 14:31
Xataka
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Berlin: Resistance against the erosion of freedom of information and data protection rollback
Berlin: Resistance against the erosion of freedom of information and data protection rollback

Berlin: Resistance against the erosion of freedom of information and data protection rollback

Berlin's data protection officer blasts proposed changes to transparency and data protection laws. The watchdog argues the planned amendments ignore European regulations and reduce, rather than increase, public access to information.

March 9, 2026 at 13:49
netzpolitik.org
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Spain bets its future in the semiconductor industry on a single card: gallium chips
Spain bets its future in the semiconductor industry on a single card: gallium chips

Spain bets its future in the semiconductor industry on a single card: gallium chips

Spain bets on gallium chips as its future in semiconductors, aiming for next-gen photonic semiconductors. This venture could revolutionize telecom, defense, and quantum computing.

March 9, 2026 at 13:27
Xataka
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Nextcloud: Code smuggling possible through gap in Flow
Nextcloud: Code smuggling possible through gap in Flow

Nextcloud: Code smuggling possible through gap in Flow

Nextcloud Flow vulnerability allows code injection, risking instance compromise. A critical update is now available to patch this security flaw.

March 9, 2026 at 08:38
Heise Online
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Impending BSI alert: 18,500 companies now risk high fines
Impending BSI alert: 18,500 companies now risk high fines

Impending BSI alert: 18,500 companies now risk high fines

Germany's NIS2 registration deadline passed with 18,500 companies missing the mark, risking substantial fines. This oversight prompts political debate over potential errors in the cybersecurity directive's rollout.

March 7, 2026 at 20:15
WinFuture.de
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Proton: FBI user identification shakes Swiss data protection
Proton: FBI user identification shakes Swiss data protection

Proton: FBI user identification shakes Swiss data protection

FBI gains access to anonymized Proton account payment data via legal aid, challenging Swiss data protection. Proton emphasizes adherence to strict Swiss legal frameworks.

March 7, 2026 at 17:32
Heise Online
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LibreOffice rails against Microsoft Excel use at the EU
LibreOffice rails against Microsoft Excel use at the EU

LibreOffice rails against Microsoft Excel use at the EU

EU Commission preaches digital sovereignty but uses Microsoft Excel forms, drawing criticism from The Document Foundation. LibreOffice developer questions Brussels' commitment to open-source alternatives.

March 7, 2026 at 11:40
WinFuture.de
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WhatsApp yields to Europe and ChatGPT and other AI return, with a condition
WhatsApp yields to Europe and ChatGPT and other AI return, with a condition

WhatsApp yields to Europe and ChatGPT and other AI return, with a condition

WhatsApp to allow ChatGPT and other AIs following EU pressure to avoid sanctions. Meta imposes a condition on the integration of general-purpose AI services into its messaging platform.

March 7, 2026 at 08:00
Pplware
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BSI: 11,500 critical facilities registered under NIS2
BSI: 11,500 critical facilities registered under NIS2

BSI: 11,500 critical facilities registered under NIS2

Germany's BSI registers 11,500 critical entities under NIS2 directive, highlighting widespread cybersecurity compliance. Yet, nearly 20,000 entities still need to register by the deadline.

March 6, 2026 at 17:09
Heise Online
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WhatsApp reverses an important decision regarding AI to appease the European Union
WhatsApp reverses an important decision regarding AI to appease the European Union

WhatsApp reverses an important decision regarding AI to appease the European Union

WhatsApp reverses AI chatbot policy to appease EU regulators. Competitor chatbots now permitted on the platform, averting potential European Commission sanctions.

March 6, 2026 at 16:01
Presse-Citron
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Intelligence service control: "Control must not depend on whether the intelligence service cooperates voluntarily"
Intelligence service control: "Control must not depend on whether the intelligence service cooperates voluntarily"

Intelligence service control: "Control must not depend on whether the intelligence service cooperates voluntarily"

German data protection chief's BND oversight lawsuit rejected, creating a "control-free zone" for intelligence agency operations. Experts urge government action to ensure effective oversight of digital surveillance.

March 6, 2026 at 15:45
netzpolitik.org
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Nextcloud in the Practical Test: BETTER than Teams? | c't 3003
Nextcloud in the Practical Test: BETTER than Teams? | c't 3003

Nextcloud in the Practical Test: BETTER than Teams? | c't 3003

German-made Nextcloud challenges US giants like Dropbox and Teams. Self-hosted tests by c't 3003 reveal its potential as a robust European alternative.

March 6, 2026 at 15:02
Heise Online
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Fines now possible: Deadline for NIS2 registration obligation
Fines now possible: Deadline for NIS2 registration obligation

Fines now possible: Deadline for NIS2 registration obligation

Germany enforces NIS2 cybersecurity rules, levying fines as registration deadline passes. Over 30,000 entities must comply, with political concerns arising over initial figures.

March 6, 2026 at 11:30
Heise Online
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After EU pressure: Meta allows AI chatbots on WhatsApp – but only for a fee
After EU pressure: Meta allows AI chatbots on WhatsApp – but only for a fee

After EU pressure: Meta allows AI chatbots on WhatsApp – but only for a fee

Meta allows rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp under EU pressure, but a new fee sparks doubts. Competitors could pay for integration, complicating the EU's open digital market push.

March 6, 2026 at 11:29
Heise Online
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Your Choice by Default thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act
Your Choice by Default thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act

Your Choice by Default thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act

EU's Digital Markets Act grants consumers more choice and control since March 2024. The DMA compels tech giants to end unfair practices, fostering fairer prices and innovation across online services.

March 6, 2026 at 10:03
BEUC
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Digital Services Act: The Trusted Flagger system is still faltering
Digital Services Act: The Trusted Flagger system is still faltering

Digital Services Act: The Trusted Flagger system is still faltering

EU's Digital Services Act "Trusted Flagger" system falters, hindering platforms' content moderation efforts. Initial insights reveal significant room for improvement in this crucial EU regulation.

March 5, 2026 at 19:06
Heise Online
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German companies are massively ignoring NIS2 obligations
German companies are massively ignoring NIS2 obligations

German companies are massively ignoring NIS2 obligations

German firms largely ignore NIS2 cybersecurity mandates, warns Schwarz Digits. Nearly half of businesses are unaware of their obligations, risking severe penalties, especially small businesses.

March 5, 2026 at 17:16
Heise Online
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Fintech giant Revolut: Will the US expansion succeed despite N26's failure?
Fintech giant Revolut: Will the US expansion succeed despite N26's failure?

Fintech giant Revolut: Will the US expansion succeed despite N26's failure?

Fintech giant Revolut eyes US banking license, risking a path others couldn't navigate. The British firm aims for American expansion, building on its European digital banking success.

March 5, 2026 at 15:05
Heise Online
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Judge rules in preliminary injunction case Reddit v. AP
Judge rules in preliminary injunction case Reddit v. AP

Judge rules in preliminary injunction case Reddit v. AP

Reddit loses court battle with Dutch Data Protection Authority. The court rejected all of Reddit's requests against the AP, signaling a setback for the social media giant.

March 5, 2026 at 15:00
Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens
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