News - For Consumers

Microsoft solidifies its control of OpenAI by securing guaranteed access to current and future AI models. This deal marks the culmination of Microsoft's shift from selling software licenses to selling continuous dependence, including its subscription-based services.

Spanish hospitals like Hospital Clínic de Barcelona are piloting AI "medical scribe" programs to automate note-taking during consultations. This frees doctors to focus on patients, potentially reversing the trend of physicians focusing on digital records rather than patients.

Google's Chrome will flag all unencrypted HTTP websites, starting October 2026, marking a significant push for online security. This move forces safer connections for all Chrome users by default.

Big Tech's lobbying in Brussels reached a record €151 million, surpassing all other industries. This surge in spending highlights the industry's opposition to EU digital regulations.

German cloud users increasingly prioritize European data sovereignty, even if it means higher costs. The willingness to pay more reflects growing concern over data protection.

Prague's Václav Havel Airport shut down facial recognition cameras due to pressure from the AI Act and criticism. The Czech Office for Personal Data Protection confirmed the illegality of the practice after years of debate.

Austrian Data Protection Authority faces budget cuts, leading to hampered data protection capabilities. NGOs are complaining to the European Commission about Austria's failure to provide sufficient funding, impacting millions.

German police could soon gain expanded surveillance powers, including AI-powered video monitoring and biometric searches. The proposed changes to Saxony's police law are facing opposition, with the government needing support to pass them.

Nvidia will invest $1 billion in Nokia to integrate AI into networks and drive the shift from 5G to 6G. This collaboration aims to modernize network infrastructure with advanced technologies.

Nokia teams up with Nvidia and gets a $1 billion investment to accelerate its AI pivot. The Finnish telecommunications giant is now positioned to develop advanced AI solutions for its network infrastructure.

Nvidia and Deutsche Telekom plan a billion-euro AI data center in Munich to boost European AI infrastructure. The project aims to prevent Europe from falling behind in the global AI race.

EDRi urges the European Commission to tackle manipulative design in the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, to protect users' fundamental rights. The organization calls for strong, binding rules to ban exploitative features and reinforce Europe’s digital rulebook.

AI-powered image generation tools are now being used to create fake expense receipts, causing a surge in fraudulent claims. Reports indicate a 14% rise in fraudulent receipts since the launch of ChatGPT and Gemini.

AI is being used by companies to justify layoffs, claiming innovation and workflow optimization. A professor suggests that this is often a convenient excuse.

Apple threatens to disable its "App Tracking Transparency" feature in Europe, potentially impacting user privacy. A complex power struggle underlies this, involving data ownership, competition, and privacy regulations.

Civil society groups are protesting the appointment of Niamh Sweeney, a former Meta employee, as Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner. Over 40 NGOs, including Access Now and EDRi, signed an open letter voicing their concerns about the decision.

Orange can simultaneously purchase 50% of Masorange and its share of Altice assets in France without affecting dividends. This marks a shift, as the market now accepts sector consolidation after years of regulatory taboo.

The EU Commission found TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are not providing sufficient data access to researchers, with content reporting too difficult on the latter two. The EU is demanding improvements, or the platforms could face penalties under the Digital Services Act.

The European Commission found Meta in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding content moderation, signaling a move towards enforcement. BEUC welcomes the initial steps, advocating for rigorous monitoring to protect consumers from unsafe and illegal content on platforms.

Brussels accuses Meta of inadequate complaint systems on Facebook and Instagram, potentially violating the Digital Services Act. The investigation follows concerns about Meta's handling of illegal content on its platforms.