News - For Consumers

Bison Bank launches Portugal's first regulated stablecoin, poised to compete in the European market. The Electronic Money Token aims to offer a new digital financial instrument.

The European Commission demands Spain end regulated electricity tariffs to foster market competition and energy efficiency. Brussels cites financial risk prevention, urging stress tests for energy suppliers to avoid past crises.

German data protection officials urge EU lawmakers to scrap "mass surveillance" chat control. They argue it breaches end-to-end encryption and is unprecedented for a state governed by the rule of law.

Brussels tightens telecom security by recommending member states exclude Huawei and ZTE equipment. This move paves the way for mandatory removal of "high-risk suppliers" from critical networks.

Tech giants like SAP and Siemens call for an EU AI policy course correction. They warn the EU's AI Act risks overregulation, demanding more room for innovation ahead of trilogue talks.

Ryanair demands EU border system suspension due to hour-long queues causing flight cancellations. The new EES biometric entry/exit system's April rollout has heavily impacted summer travel.

Apple's policy chief criticizes the EU's Digital Markets Act, citing frustration and concerns over data protection and innovation. The company argues that upcoming regulations could hinder technological advancements and user privacy.

EU and US officials are close to an agreement allowing US authorities to access sensitive personal data of EU citizens. The draft "Border Partnership" framework would grant US agencies access to facial images, health data, and sexual orientation for police databases....

The EU's digital euro project faces pressure from banks wanting a weaker version and a tight timeline. The European Central Bank plans a pilot next year, but the European Parliament still debates critical privacy issues.

Germany advances EU Cyber Resilience Act implementation, designating the BSI as the central market surveillance authority. This move positions the agency as a digital TÜV for connected products, ensuring their cybersecurity standards.

Rokid launches AI-smartglasses in Europe, directly challenging Meta's market presence. The company unveiled its latest products in Munich, marking its official entry into the European market.

Civil society launches a summit to counter "simplification" proposals threatening EU digital protections. The convening aims to centre public interest, data protection, and rights in the EU's vision for tech laws and practices.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) shows potential but faces criticism for lax enforcement by the European Commission. Gatekeepers continue to dominate digital markets due to political interference and a laissez-faire approach to its implementation.

EU lawmakers are wrestling with proposals for a Digital Euro, with a contentious "holding limits" feature temporarily shelved. Key issues like data protection and offline payment capabilities remain unresolved as the deadline for agreement looms.

noyb sues Hamburg data protection authority over inaction on PimEyes facial recognition. The DPA is refusing to act, claiming PimEyes is based in Dubai despite acknowledging its practices are illegal.

EU trilogue talks on AI Act reform failed, delaying loosened rules for AI in industry. Disputes over classifying industrial AI and banning non-consensual deepfakes continue, risking key protections.

Greece wants to completely eliminate anonymity on the internet. The government seeks to require identity disclosure on digital platforms to combat deepfakes and disinformation.

EU Commission accuses Meta of not effectively keeping children under 13 away from Instagram and Facebook. Meta thereby violates the Digital Services Act (DSA) and must better identify risks for minors.

Greece's €4 million AI Smart Policing programme, including facial recognition, has been ruled unlawful by the Hellenic Police's data protection authority. The decision confirms concerns about data protection violations and misuse of AI technologies.

Brussels talks up digital sovereignty, but funding for crucial open-source infrastructure remains uncertain. NLnet Foundation supports developers building independent digital tools, from hardware to social media platforms, but urges more concrete action.