News - For Consumers
Daily digest of all European digital development news
Live blog appeal Meta January 26
Meta's appeal against an Amsterdam court ruling ends January 26, 2026, concerning user timeline control on Facebook and Instagram. The original verdict mandated Meta offer non-profiled feeds, aligning with DSA principles of user autonomy.
AP Publishes Updated Guidance on Targeted Online Political Advertising
Dutch Data Authority updates political ad guidance with public feedback. New rules clarify targeted online advertising after extensive consultation.
How the PSD proposes to condition access of minors under 13 and 16 years of age to social networks
Portugal's PSD proposes age verification for social media accounts, requiring proof for users under 13 and 16. This digital policy aims to enhance child protection online.
France's Social Media Ban for Children: EU Law Slows Paris Down
France's bid to ban social media for under-15s faces EU legal hurdles. The Digital Services Act and "country of origin" principle impede Paris's national restrictions on online platforms.
For the first time, electrified cars are selling more than gasoline cars. It is the beginning of the inevitable
Europe's automotive market shifts dramatically as electrified vehicles outsell gasoline cars for the first time. This trend accelerates with electric and hybrid sales up 51% and 36....
Taking an important call in a traffic jam is an everyday occurrence. In 1990 a company from Barcelona was already offering this service
Barcelona company offered a unique mobile phone service in 1990 for busy drivers to take calls. This precursor to modern mobile connectivity served professionals needing to stay connected during traffic jams.
SAP share price plummets – CEO Klein: "No matter what the market thinks"
SAP stock plunges as cloud revenue growth disappoints and AI narrative falters. The German software giant's shares tumble, reflecting investor concerns over its digital transformation pace.
EDPB and EDPS warn: simplification of AI rules must not come at the expense of fundamental rights
EU data watchdogs warn the AI Act's simplification risks fundamental rights. The "Digital Omnibus" proposal faces scrutiny from EDPB and EDPS over potential trade-offs.
The AP in 2026: focus on mass surveillance, AI, and digital resilience
Dutch Data Protection Authority prioritizes mass surveillance, AI, and digital resilience for 2026-2028. The agency aims to better protect citizens in an increasingly digital world.
Schwarz Group secures more power at Aleph Alpha
German retail giant Schwarz Gruppe significantly boosts its stake in AI firm Aleph Alpha, acquiring Bosch's shares. This move solidifies the group's control over a key European AI player.
Infrastructure-as-Code: formae offers multi-cloud support and developer SDK
Berlin-based formae expands its IaC platform with GCP, Azure, OCI, and OVHcloud support. A new plug-in SDK empowers developers with rapid, schema-secure extensions.
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.