News - For Consumers

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.