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

2026 will be a blow to the wallet if you have fiber and mobile. Unless you use DIGI
Spanish telecom provider Digi will not raise prices in 2026, bucking the trend of competitors like Vodafone, Movistar, and Orange. The announcement contrasts with rising costs planned by the larger telecom companies for fiber and mobile services.

Amazon had announced a layoff with 978 layoffs in Barcelona: the union negotiation has served to cushion it
Amazon reduced its Barcelona office layoffs from 978 to 791 employees after union negotiations. The agreement includes voluntary departures and internal relocations to soften the impact of the job cuts.

Cybersecurity Law: responsibilities of Management, Direction and Administration bodies
Portugal's new Cybersecurity Law, implementing NIS 2, places greater responsibility on Management, Direction, and Administration bodies. The law's changes aim to reinforce cybersecurity measures across the country.

Telefónica leaves Wall Street by the back door: goodbye to almost four decades in the world's largest market
Telefónica is exiting the New York Stock Exchange after nearly four decades of trading, citing high administrative costs. The Spanish telecom giant's shares will cease trading on Wall Street in the coming days, focusing solely on the Madrid market.

SFR hit by a cyberattack: customer data has leaked
SFR, a French telecom operator, suffered a major cyberattack that exposed customer data to a large-scale data breach. Details regarding the exact amount of data compromised remain undisclosed at this time.

Meta shuts down accounts from gender rights and abortion movement
Meta has removed numerous accounts linked to gender rights and abortion advocacy on Instagram and Facebook, raising concerns about censorship. The removals, including accounts in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK, may violate the Digital Services Act with a noticeable increase in restricted accounts.

Federal Network Agency: This tool checks minimum internet speed
The German Federal Network Agency introduced a new tool to assess minimum internet speeds, mandating users complete ten measurements with strict pause times. This tool aims to determine eligibility for official intervention regarding internet service.

This Christmas you can buy online with more security using a VPN: this one costs less than two euros a month and comes with three extra months
Online shoppers can enhance their security this holiday season using a VPN, a key tool for safe browsing. Surfshark offers a VPN service for only €1....

The fintech Monzo becomes a neobank in Europe: future competitor of Revolut in France?
Monzo, the UK-based neobank, launches in Ireland, marking its initial entry into the European Union. This move signals a strategic expansion to compete with rivals like Revolut across the continent.

Belgian Itsme replaces iDIN: online identification via an app (and this changes for you)
Itsme, a Belgian digital identity app, replaces iDIN for online identification services in the Netherlands. Starting in 2026, Itsme will become the standard for digital verification, replacing the previous system.

New Cybersecurity Law: is your company covered?
Portugal's new Cybersecurity Law, transposing the NIS 2 Directive, is now in effect, impacting various entities. This decree, defined by Decree-Law No....

HAN receives a fine of 175,000 euros for insufficient security of personal data
The Dutch Data Protection Authority fined HAN University €175,000 for failing to adequately secure personal data. The investigation revealed insufficient measures were taken to protect student and employee information.

TikTok unlawfully tracks your shopping habits – and your use of dating apps
TikTok faces scrutiny for unlawfully tracking user activity, including shopping and dating app usage, potentially violating privacy laws. The platform's off-app tracking capabilities raise concerns about data collection practices.

Consumer views on Digital Omnibus proposals - keep protections under GDPR and uphold the AI Act
BEUC urges the EU to uphold consumer protections within the Digital Omnibus proposals, specifically regarding GDPR and the AI Act. The consumer organization expresses concerns that recent proposals may weaken these safeguards.

GDPR reform: "In terms of data protection, Germany is now closer to Silicon Valley than to the rest of the EU"
European privacy advocate Max Schrems criticizes the EU's proposed GDPR reform, arguing it needs significant changes. Schrems advocates for a reform that would ease burdens on small businesses while more strictly regulating data giants.

The arrival of AI in video games seems inevitable. But not everyone is equally convinced
The gaming world is hotly debating the ethical implications of AI. The demo for 'Codex Mortis', a game developed entirely by AI, has sparked a divided response, with only 60% of Steam reviews being positive.

New Cybersecurity Law: main changes in Portugal
Portugal implements the NIS2 directive with a new cybersecurity law to enhance digital protection. The law broadens responsibilities and introduces significant changes to national legislation.

Firefox Strategy: Back to Growth with AI and New Leadership
Mozilla reorganizes Firefox leadership, naming Anthony Enzor-DeMeo as CEO, and will focus on privacy and AI. This shift aims to boost growth.

AP warns users: TikTok continues to send personal data to China
TikTok continues sending user data to China, defying European privacy regulators' joint decision that deems the data transfer unlawful. The Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens (AP) warns users about the privacy implications of the social media platform's data practices.

Reform of the GDPR: Data protection conference criticizes plans of the EU Commission
German data protection authorities criticize the EU Commission's digital omnibus plans, citing concerns about legal uncertainties. The Conference of Data Protection Authorities of the Federation and the Länder (DSK) has proposed alternative reform suggestions to address these issues.
