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.

The tragedy of Supernatural
Meta shutters three VR studios including Supernatural's developer, signaling a shift away from fitness games. This move underscores Meta's strategic pivot, impacting hundreds of VR developers and the immersive fitness community.

Finance: Samsung and SK Hynix cause the Korean Stock Exchange to fall, markets at a standstill
Seoul's stock market plummets over 5% as tech giants Samsung and SK Hynix lead the crash. Fears of an artificial intelligence bubble bursting intensify across Asian markets.

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.

French giant Capgemini sells its subsidiary accused of working with ICE (to profile undocumented immigrants)
French tech giant Capgemini divests US subsidiary following accusations of working with ICE to track undocumented immigrants. The sale aims to distance the company from the controversial partnership.

China has spent 16 years writing an infinite novel about how to overtake Europe, and it has become a political weapon
Chinese engineers and tech enthusiasts co-authored a sprawling 16-year sci-fi novel, "Illumine Lingao," imagining an industrial revolution in 1628 China. This literary project, with over 1,400 spin-offs, aims to advance China's modernity before Europe, becoming a unique political statement.

Waymo arrives soon in one of Europe's busiest cities. Are we ready?
Waymo launches robotaxi service in London, leveraging new autonomous vehicle regulations. The move signals major advancements in self-driving technology for European cities this year.

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 centuries, price has been a signal of quality. Generative AI is breaking that rule in dozens of sectors
AI generativa shatters price-as-quality rule in multiple sectors. Logos and market analysis, once costly indicators of value, now often indistinguishable from AI-generated alternatives.

Illusion: Retirement provision with Amazon
German citizens saving for retirement with ETFs heavily invest in US tech giants like Amazon and Google. This reliance on Silicon Valley firms raises ethical questions about profiting from their growth.

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....

Tinder has understood something uncomfortable: young people are lonely and no longer want to flirt as before
Dating apps like Tinder face a "readiness paradox": Gen Z seeks love but feels unprepared for relationships. Hyperconnectivity breeds more loneliness, not connection, impacting the dating industry.

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.

Putting solar panels on an electric car sounds like a total win-win: the reality of extra range is a cold shower
Solarstic, a Hyundai spin-off, unveiled integrated solar panels for EVs at CES 2026, promising up to 80 km daily range boost. This innovation moves beyond traditional glass panels, using lightweight polymers for improved aerodynamics and safety.

Farewell to 30 years of old technology: NTLM loses its place in Windows
Microsoft retires NTLM, a 30-year-old security protocol, from Windows, enhancing platform defense. This move signifies a major shift towards modern authentication standards in future operating system versions.

Microsoft will copy Apple and bring Windows 11 closer to macOS
Microsoft revamps Windows 11 desktop, mirroring macOS and Linux interfaces. New UI aims for greater user familiarity and streamlined navigation for millions.

Google opens access to AI model that generates games - shares plummet
Google shocks gaming industry by releasing "Project Genie," an AI prototype. This system generates entire virtual worlds from simple prompts, potentially revolutionizing game development.

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.

Elon Musk is considering merging SpaceX with xAI or Tesla, according to Reuters: and the stock market is anxious
Elon Musk eyes SpaceX merger with Tesla or xAI, sparking market jitters. Discussions explore combining aerospace with automotive or AI, potentially creating a monumental business shift.
