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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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....

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.

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.

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.

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....

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.

CNPD signs international declaration and warns of AI risks to privacy
Portugal's data protection authority joins global call on AI privacy risks, highlighting dangers for citizens. The CNPD's international declaration urges caution amidst rapid AI development.

Digital Omnibus Report V3: Analysis of Select GDPR and ePrivacy Proposals by the Commission
noyb's Digital Omnibus Report V3 urges EU lawmakers to reject key GDPR and ePrivacy proposals. The analysis offers concrete recommendations for legislative changes to protect user data.

Protecting EU data and privacy rights in the Digital Omnibus
EU proposal weakens GDPR and ePrivacy rules, risking consumer data rights and European competitiveness. Targeted modifications instead "reopen" key regulations, potentially favouring dominant firms over SMEs.

Up to 32 percent more: Hetzner Online will soon increase hosting prices
German cloud provider Hetzner Online hikes hosting prices up to 32% starting April 2026 due to hardware crisis. Customers face significantly higher costs for cloud and server products.

US Algorithms as Border Guards: Automated Judgments on EU Travelers Possible
US algorithms could soon decide on EU travelers' entry, bypassing human review due to a biometric data exchange draft. Privacy advocates warn this automated judgment raises significant data protection concerns.

NIS2 in Healthcare: Awareness also necessary for smaller institutions
Germany's NIS2 law pushes hospitals to improve IT security, even for smaller facilities. Experts highlight leadership benefits as the directive accelerates cybersecurity upgrades across the healthcare sector.

Two Spanish space giants have joined forces to take 5G defense satellites into space: PLD Space and Sateliot
Spanish firms PLD Space and Sateliot partner to launch 5G defense satellites, boosting European tech sovereignty. Tritó constellation satellites will ride a dedicated Miura 5 rocket in late 2027.
