News - For Consumers

Daily digest of all European digital development news

Telekom to integrate AI assistants into mobile network
Telekom to integrate AI assistants into mobile network

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.

February 26, 2026 at 18:15
Heise Online
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Google might reshuffle search results to try to dodge fines in the EU
Google might reshuffle search results to try to dodge fines in the EU

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.

February 26, 2026 at 16:18
The Verge Policy
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Interview on personal identification numbers: "Preventing the transparent citizen not only legally but also technically"
Interview on personal identification numbers: "Preventing the transparent citizen not only legally but also technically"

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.

February 26, 2026 at 13:48
netzpolitik.org
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Threema becomes quantum-safe: Partnership with IBM Research
Threema becomes quantum-safe: Partnership with IBM Research

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.

February 26, 2026 at 10:45
Heise Online
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Google is likely to change search results soon - due to a threatened DMA penalty from the EU
Google is likely to change search results soon - due to a threatened DMA penalty from the EU

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.

February 26, 2026 at 05:04
Heise Online
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Federal Network Agency wants to ease Telekom regulation in four cities
Federal Network Agency wants to ease Telekom regulation in four cities

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.

February 25, 2026 at 17:29
Heise Online
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Chat Control is in the final stretch – but it could be a marathon, not a sprint
Chat Control is in the final stretch – but it could be a marathon, not a sprint

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.

February 25, 2026 at 14:02
EDRI
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European alternatives to Gmail and Outlook: the best email providers made in Europe
European alternatives to Gmail and Outlook: the best email providers made in Europe

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....

February 25, 2026 at 13:44
Xataka
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heise+ | Ionos Nextcloud Workspace: Microsoft-365-Alternative under test
heise+ | Ionos Nextcloud Workspace: Microsoft-365-Alternative under test

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.

February 25, 2026 at 12:00
Heise Online
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Data Protection Reform: Member States Distance Themselves from EU Commission's Plans
Data Protection Reform: Member States Distance Themselves from EU Commission's Plans

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.

February 24, 2026 at 18:47
netzpolitik.org
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Everyone wants to take the throne from ASML. Today ASML has decided the throne is higher
Everyone wants to take the throne from ASML. Today ASML has decided the throne is higher

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.

February 24, 2026 at 15:30
Xataka
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Spain has just plugged in more batteries in one month than in three years: this is the plan to store our cheapest energy
Spain has just plugged in more batteries in one month than in three years: this is the plan to store our cheapest energy

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....

February 24, 2026 at 15:00
Xataka
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United Kingdom will regulate Netflix and other streaming services like traditional televisions
United Kingdom will regulate Netflix and other streaming services like traditional televisions

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.

February 24, 2026 at 15:00
Pplware
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CNPD signs international declaration and warns of AI risks to privacy
CNPD signs international declaration and warns of AI risks to privacy

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.

February 24, 2026 at 11:30
Pplware
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Digital Omnibus Report V3: Analysis of Select GDPR and ePrivacy Proposals by the Commission
Digital Omnibus Report V3: Analysis of Select GDPR and ePrivacy Proposals by the Commission

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.

February 24, 2026 at 10:44
noyb.eu
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Protecting EU data and privacy rights in the Digital Omnibus
Protecting EU data and privacy rights in the Digital Omnibus

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.

February 24, 2026 at 09:15
BEUC
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Up to 32 percent more: Hetzner Online will soon increase hosting prices
Up to 32 percent more: Hetzner Online will soon increase hosting prices

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.

February 23, 2026 at 20:23
WinFuture.de
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US Algorithms as Border Guards: Automated Judgments on EU Travelers Possible
US Algorithms as Border Guards: Automated Judgments on EU Travelers Possible

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.

February 23, 2026 at 19:37
Heise Online
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NIS2 in Healthcare: Awareness also necessary for smaller institutions
NIS2 in Healthcare: Awareness also necessary for smaller institutions

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.

February 23, 2026 at 18:19
Heise Online
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Two Spanish space giants have joined forces to take 5G defense satellites into space: PLD Space and Sateliot
Two Spanish space giants have joined forces to take 5G defense satellites into space: PLD Space and Sateliot

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.

February 23, 2026 at 16:30
Xataka
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