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

EU starts procedure against Google to fairly share AI access and search data
EU launches DMA probe into Google for fair AI access and search data sharing. Regulators scrutinize Google's compliance with new competition rules, impacting its digital services.

Digital Omnibus: "The EU Commission is shaking the cornerstones of data protection"
EU Commission proposes exempting pseudonymized data from GDPR, sparking backlash from German data protection authorities. Critics argue this undermines fundamental data protection pillars.

Berlin: Opaque health database plans temporarily halted after urgent letter
Berlin health database plans halted after privacy chief's sharp criticism. Data protection concerns stall the Charité project, leaving its future uncertain despite coalition backing.

Meike Kamp: "GDPR Changes Shake the Cornerstones of Data Protection"
Berlin experts warn upcoming GDPR changes weaken personal data definitions and pose new digital omnibus threats. This shake-up risks undermining fundamental data protection pillars across Europe.

European Data Protection Day: The term "anonymized" is often used misleadingly
Data privacy experts warn anonymization techniques are fragile and political shifts can endanger personal data. The EU Data Protection Day highlighted these risks, emphasizing crucial years ahead for digital rights.

Lithography Systems: Record Bookings for ASML Due to AI
ASML reports record orders for lithography systems fueled by AI demand. The Dutch chip equipment giant is nearing €10 billion in revenue as chipmakers invest heavily in advanced manufacturing.

Social welfare reform: Commission recommends reduction of fundamental rights
Germany's social welfare reform pushes for a "digital restart" using AI and automated processes. This plan could weaken data protection and risks discrimination for vulnerable groups.

We were guests in the House of Representatives to talk about the (intended) takeover of Solvinity for DigiD
Dutch parliamentarians debate Solvinity's potential US takeover, warning it could disrupt citizens' access to the DigiD digital identity. Concerns highlight risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of crucial government services.

Telefónica is converting its telephone exchanges into small data centers: the cloud will have a neighborhood version
Telefónica launches 17 mini data centers across Spain, bringing cloud and AI closer to users. This edge computing network reduces latency and enhances local data jurisdiction.

heise offer: iX-Workshop: IT Law for Admins – Paths to legally compliant IT practice
Berlin: iX workshop offers IT admins practical guidance on navigating CRA, NIS-2, and AI Act compliance. Learn to secure IT infrastructure and ensure legal adherence in everyday operations.

Europe has a plan for the next war on the continent: literally, to close the doors of space to the US
Germany plans a sovereign satellite network for its military, dubbed "Starlink for the German army." This initiative aims to cut dependence on US systems and taps into a €35 billion German military tech investment.

CCTV in public transport: drivers may not be permanently in view
Dutch data watchdog limits bus driver surveillance, banning permanent camera monitoring. Images can only be used for incident safety, not structural employee tracking.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft may no longer secretly track schoolchildren
Austria's data protection authority orders Microsoft to cease tracking school children via Microsoft 365 Education. The tech giant has four weeks to comply with the ruling.

Data Protection Day: 5 misconceptions about data protection, debunked
noyb debunks five common data protection myths on Data Protection Day. Misconceptions about consent and data transfers are clarified to inform Europeans of their digital rights.

Digital "Omnibus": European Parliament slows down Commission plans for data and AI
EU Parliament pushes back on Commission's data and AI plans, aiming for separate legislative paths. Lawmakers want to avoid combining diverse digital regulations into one omnibus bill.

Signal: Messenger conquers Finnish Play Store
Signal Messenger dominates Finland's Play Store, driven by user demand for privacy. This secure messaging app's rapid growth highlights a European shift towards data protection.

Austrian Data Protection Authority: Microsoft illegally tracked minors
Austria's data watchdog rules Microsoft illegally tracked minors, potentially jeopardizing widespread EU use of its education software. The decision, stemming from unauthorized tracking cookies on a student's device, could force significant compliance changes.

Cybersecurity: Portugal and Spain make first cross-border quantum link
Portugal and Spain launch Europe's first quantum-secured cross-border link, boosting cybersecurity resilience. This quantum key distribution breakthrough between Portalegre and Badajoz marks a significant leap in secure data transmission.

Airplane: Revolut could become a flight booking platform
Revolut eyes flight bookings, potentially disrupting travel alongside its fintech services. The digital bank aims to leverage its 70 million global customers to enter the travel platform market.

The PubMed Trap: Germany's Dangerous Data Poker in Medicine
Germany's data poker in medicine promises digital sovereignty but faces internal disputes over securing crucial research data. Millions are allocated amid a behind-the-scenes battle for control of vital scientific information.
