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

The influence of Snapchat’s gamification features on young people
Dutch researchers warn Snapchat's gamification features pressure young users into excessive screen time. This study advises policymakers on new guidelines to give users more control over online attention.

EDRi files DSA complaint against YouTube for undermining user autonomy
EDRi sues YouTube in Belgium, alleging its recommender system violates the Digital Services Act. The complaint targets the platform's user autonomy safeguards under new EU digital rules.

There are European alternatives to Google Drive if you want your photos in the cloud. Internxt is one of them: it only costs 16 euros a year
European cloud storage alternatives challenge US giants. Spanish startup Internxt offers 1TB for just €16 annually, aiming to reduce reliance on American tech services.

NIS2: Why so few companies are registering
Fewer than 10% of eligible German companies registered for NIS2, stalling the EU's cybersecurity directive rollout. Non-compliance risks significant fines for businesses across the bloc.

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.

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.

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.

Spain is betting 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
