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

BSI: 11,500 critical facilities registered under NIS2
Germany's BSI registers 11,500 critical entities under NIS2 directive, highlighting widespread cybersecurity compliance. Yet, nearly 20,000 entities still need to register by the deadline.

WhatsApp reverses an important decision regarding AI to appease the European Union
WhatsApp reverses AI chatbot policy to appease EU regulators. Competitor chatbots now permitted on the platform, averting potential European Commission sanctions.

Intelligence service control: "Control must not depend on whether the intelligence service cooperates voluntarily"
German data protection chief's BND oversight lawsuit rejected, creating a "control-free zone" for intelligence agency operations. Experts urge government action to ensure effective oversight of digital surveillance.

Nextcloud in the Practical Test: BETTER than Teams? | c't 3003
German-made Nextcloud challenges US giants like Dropbox and Teams. Self-hosted tests by c't 3003 reveal its potential as a robust European alternative.

Fines now possible: Deadline for NIS2 registration obligation
Germany enforces NIS2 cybersecurity rules, levying fines as registration deadline passes. Over 30,000 entities must comply, with political concerns arising over initial figures.

After EU pressure: Meta allows AI chatbots on WhatsApp – but only for a fee
Meta allows rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp under EU pressure, but a new fee sparks doubts. Competitors could pay for integration, complicating the EU's open digital market push.

Your Choice by Default thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act
EU's Digital Markets Act grants consumers more choice and control since March 2024. The DMA compels tech giants to end unfair practices, fostering fairer prices and innovation across online services.

Digital Services Act: The Trusted Flagger system is still faltering
EU's Digital Services Act "Trusted Flagger" system falters, hindering platforms' content moderation efforts. Initial insights reveal significant room for improvement in this crucial EU regulation.

German companies are massively ignoring NIS2 obligations
German firms largely ignore NIS2 cybersecurity mandates, warns Schwarz Digits. Nearly half of businesses are unaware of their obligations, risking severe penalties, especially small businesses.

Fintech giant Revolut: Will the US expansion succeed despite N26's failure?
Fintech giant Revolut eyes US banking license, risking a path others couldn't navigate. The British firm aims for American expansion, building on its European digital banking success.

Judge rules in preliminary injunction case Reddit v. AP
Reddit loses court battle with Dutch Data Protection Authority. The court rejected all of Reddit's requests against the AP, signaling a setback for the social media giant.

Google ends 30% fee on Play Store and opens Android to external stores
Google ends 30% Play Store fee and allows external app stores, fundamentally reshaping the Android ecosystem. This landmark change follows a significant agreement, impacting developers and app distribution across Europe.

We were guests in the House of Representatives to talk about social media and interference
Bits of Freedom informs Dutch parliament on social media algorithms and societal impact. They warn online platforms are disrupting public debate, threatening democratic discourse.

Google introduces major changes for the Play Store
Google slashes Play Store commissions, boosting European developers. New programs aim to promote apps and games, impacting the digital marketplace.

Europol announces the end of Tycoon 2FA: a vast phishing network responsible for hacking 100,000 organizations
Europol dismantles Tycoon 2FA, a massive phishing network that compromised over 100,000 organizations. Microsoft confirms the tools bypassed crucial two-factor authentication security measures.

EU must step up its efforts to curb the high number of unsafe products entering Europe
EU consumers face 4,671 unsafe products in 2025, highlighting urgent need to overhaul e-commerce market surveillance. BEUC calls for marketplace accountability and swift EU action to curb dangerous goods entering the bloc.

GDPR Omnibus: EU “simplification” far removed from real business needs
noyb criticizes EU's GDPR "simplification" as misaligned with business needs, finding participant responses contradict Commission's direction. The report highlights the gap between proposed changes and practical GDPR implementation.

Thursday: Risk from Google's API keys, successes against cybercrime & phishing
Europol shutters Tycoon2FA, a major phishing platform, in a significant blow to cybercrime. This action disrupts a key tool used by criminals to steal credentials and access sensitive data.

AP: AI Impact Barometer turns red, action is necessary
Dutch data watchdog warns of critical AI risks, urging swift regulation and enforcement. Urgent clarity is needed for organizations to avoid discriminatory algorithms, with no current means to address non-compliance.

MWC: Two-thirds of internet users prefer companies from Europe
Europeans increasingly favor homegrown tech firms over global giants, seeking alternatives for services like Gmail and WhatsApp. This shift highlights a growing demand for European digital solutions.
