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

Telekom and Nvidia build underground AI data center in Munich
Telekom and Nvidia are building an underground AI data center in Munich to house 10,000 "Blackwell" GPUs. The facility will provide industrial AI services.

Billions in fraud? Rapper accuses Spotify of manipulation
A rapper sues Spotify alleging it manipulated streams, potentially costing billions, to favor Drake's music. The lawsuit claims Spotify ignored bots artificially inflating listening numbers.

Databroker Files: All you need to know about how adtech data exposes the EU to espionage
Brussels faces a security threat as adtech data exposes the EU and NATO to espionage. Commercial datasets with 278 million locations, including EU officials and NATO headquarters, allow for tracking and potential spying.

Databroker Files: Targeting the EU
Millions of Europeans' mobile phone location data, gathered for advertising, is being sold and could be used for espionage. Even top EU officials are potentially affected by this data breach, raising concerns about data protection failures.

Databroker Files: Data brokers sell meter-accurate location data of EU personnel
EU officials face potential spying risks as mobile location data of millions is available for purchase. The data, collected for advertising, allows for tracking, even affecting top EU personnel.

Discussion paper raises alarm: Google, Meta & Co. dominate Europe's submarine cables
Brussels seeks a counter-strategy against Big Tech's dominance over Europe's subsea cables. Four US corporations currently control 71% of the cable capacity, according to a new report.

When ChatGPT appeared, Gonzalo was already there: this is how the Spanish Army is creating its own AI
Spanish Army's Logistics Academy is developing "Gonzalo" (GZLO), an AI model to assist military operations. This ChatGPT-like system aims to serve as an administrative assistant, focusing on security and confidentiality within the armed forces.

The global layoffs announced by Amazon arrive in Spain: it proposes a collective dismissal for 1,200 employees in Madrid and Barcelona
Amazon is cutting 1,200 jobs in Madrid and Barcelona as part of its global restructuring. This move follows the company's initial announcement of 14,000 layoffs worldwide.

New Irish Data Protection Commissioner: Human rights organization files complaint with EU Commission
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties filed a formal complaint with the EU Commission regarding the appointment of Niamh Sweeney as Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner. The human rights organization claims her past role as a Meta lobbyist compromises the data protection authority's independence.

AI Act: Will the AI regulation be delayed?
The implementation of the EU's AI Act, with key parts slated for August 2026, faces potential delays due to missing standards, prompting industry calls for postponement. Organizations like European Digital Rights (EDRi) warn against this, yet a delay seems increasingly likely.

Fear of US sanctions: International Criminal Court kicks Microsoft out of its administration
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft for openDesk, an open-source office suite developed by Germany's Centre for Digital Sovereignty. This shift follows an email access issue, raising concerns about dependence on US tech.

Data Breach Observatory: Proton tells you if your data is for sale on the Internet
Proton launches its Data Breach Observatory, offering users a way to check if their data has been compromised. This new tool from the privacy-focused company allows users to scan for data leaks.

Microsoft and Meta have just launched a virtual office for Windows users
Microsoft and Meta launch a virtual office feature connecting PCs to Meta Quest headsets, letting users access Windows 11 in a virtual desktop. The feature allows for multiple virtual screens while on the move.

Data transfer to the USA: Lawsuit against EU data protection framework goes before the CJEU
Brussels faces a new challenge as a member of the European Parliament appeals to the European Court of Justice to halt data transfers to the US. This follows a previous court decision regarding the EU-US data transfer framework.

WhatsApp brings even more security and enhances the protection of backups
WhatsApp boosts security with enhanced backup protection to counter doubts about user safety. Meta's focus on user protection is now a proven fact.

Fake News? NOS tests technology with AI and Blockchain
NOS is testing a new technology that uses AI and blockchain to detect fake news and manipulated content. The innovative concept is currently in the testing phase.

ECB Aims to Introduce Digital Euro in 2029
The European Central Bank aims to launch the digital Euro by 2029, entering its next development phase. It will still be a while before consumers can use it for payments.

Who exactly is Bending Spoons, which is buying WeTransfer, Vimeo, Evernote, AOL, and MeetUp?
Bending Spoons, an Italian company, is acquiring AOL, the former icon of the World Wide Web, following the September acquisition of Vimeo. This expansion marks another step in Bending Spoons' strategy to consolidate its digital portfolio.

NVIDIA has reached the top for its AI data centers. Its next big leap: cars
NVIDIA launches Drive AGX Hyperion 10, a computing and sensor system for autonomous vehicles, shifting the focus from data centers. Uber will deploy 100,000 units by 2027, with Stellantis, Lucid, and Mercedes-Benz also participating in the project.

How the Dutch Data Protection Authority consultant became a tax authority consultant
Dutch data protection authority, Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP), is under scrutiny for its role as a consultant to the Dutch tax office. The AP is criticized for offering a €10 million "oversight arrangement" with the tax office, raising questions about its independence.
