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

European broadcasters demand end to Google and Samsung control over Smart TV
European broadcasters urge the EU to regulate smart TV platforms, challenging Google and Samsung's content control. The ACT association demands stricter rules to ensure fair access and visibility for European content creators.

The AI that wages war on the United States is moving closer to Europe: England adopts it to monitor fraudsters
Palantir lands UK financial regulator contract to combat fraud and money laundering. This US data giant's expansion into Europe follows its deepening integration with the US military.

European Parliament blocks Chat Control: victory for privacy on WhatsApp and Signal
European Parliament rejects Chat Control 2. 0, safeguarding digital privacy....

AP publishes practical guide 'Health data in the cloud'
Dutch data watchdog publishes cloud guide for health data processors. The practical guide aims to ensure careful consideration of risks when organizations utilize cloud solutions for sensitive health information.

ChatGPT and Co.: Overwhelming data protectionists with AI recommendations
ChatGPT and AI recommendations flood German data protection regulators with over 6,000 complaints in 2025. This surge highlights growing concerns over AI-driven data handling and privacy implications.

Online age checks came first — a VPN crackdown could be next
EU regulators may target VPNs after age verification mandates. This digital crackdown could impact privacy tools for millions.

CEO of a social network is asking for a ban on access for minors under 16 years old
Social media CEO calls for 16+ age limits, opposing typical platform stances. This move could reshape child safety regulations across Europe's digital landscape.

El viaje de Artemis II a la Luna llevará tecnología madrileña: la NASA la eligió para un sistema crítico de la nave
Madrid-made technology powers NASA's Artemis II Moon mission, selected for a critical spacecraft system. This Spanish-designed thermal control unit travels aboard the European Service Module, launching April 2026.

heise+ | Goodbye, ChatGPT: European chatbots with data protection and privacy
European AI chatbots emerge as privacy-focused alternatives to US giants. These platforms aim to protect user data with strong privacy safeguards.

Political Online Advertising: Bundestag to Ensure Protection of Press Freedom
Germany implements EU rules on political online ads, sparking debate over press freedom. Experts warn broad definitions risk silencing media, with some pushing to scrap the regulations entirely.

Thunderbird expands Exchange support
Thunderbird adds robust Exchange support, enhancing its European appeal and digital productivity tools. The email client's 2026 roadmap includes new Pro services and mobile features.

Friday: Complaint for Online Traumatization, Google Plan for App Sideloading
Google plans to limit app sideloading on Android, frustrating developers. Meanwhile, a new Digital Act targets online trauma for minors, impacting platform responsibility.

EDRi-gram, 18 March 2026
EU lawmakers question mandatory scanning of private messages for illicit content. Digital rights groups warn this proposal threatens end-to-end encryption and online privacy for millions.

Five lessons from three years of risk assessments under the Digital Services Act
DSA risk assessments fail to deliver transparency or accountability for Big Tech, according to ECNL's analysis. Three years of these reports show major gaps, questioning their usefulness for millions of users.

DSA vs. Reality: Are children safer online?
EU lawmakers questioned Big Tech on child safety post-DSA, but YouTube, TikTok, and Meta evaded scrutiny. Experts urged stronger enforcement to protect young users online.

The Digital Omnibus: A step back from the brink, but the risks remain
EU Council's "Digital Omnibus" drops key GDPR/ePrivacy threats but risks linger. Unresolved AI, terminal equipment rules and AI development provisions could still dilute safeguards.

X is the main channel of disinformation against the EU: politicians are the main target
X is the top channel for EU disinformation targeting politicians, a new report finds. The platform faces scrutiny amid growing concerns over foreign influence campaigns impacting political discourse.

heise Offer: iX Workshop: Securely Setting Up and Operating Microsoft 365 in Compliance with Data Protection
iX workshop offers guidance on secure Microsoft 365 setup and GDPR compliance. Learn essential data protection and information security measures for your tenant.

Users still stuck in the mud: An analysis of Meta’s 2026 changes to its consent-for-ads mechanism against EU law
Consumers group BEUC argues Meta's latest ad consent changes still defy EU digital laws. The Digital Markets Act and GDPR are cited, with calls for hefty penalties against Meta.

Meta's latest consent-for-ads model still unlawful according to consumer groups’ analysis
Consumer groups find Meta's latest ad model still violates EU law. The model fails to offer genuine consent options for personalized ads, potentially breaking DMA and GDPR rules.
