News - For Consumers

German politicians consider a social media ban for under 16s, mirroring Australia's controversial move. Experts and child welfare groups warn this could harm youth development and limit digital literacy.

SAP users are slow to adopt cloud for HR software, favoring hybrid setups. Modernization advances, but cloud transitions are being taken deliberately by companies.

Spain is building a "military Silicon Valley" near Madrid, focusing on defense technology and digitalization. The €385 million project, backed by the European Investment Bank, will consolidate talent and R&D for future strategic capabilities.

EU fines X €120M for non-compliant researcher data access under the Digital Services Act. The ruling elevates research to a key part of regulatory oversight, not just observation.

Europe is shifting its telecom strategy away from low-cost operators, favoring major players serving millions. New rules aim to consolidate the market, prioritizing established giants over budget providers.

GDPR's promise to protect minors online faces a reality gap. Debated in a c't-Datenschutz podcast, the law's practical application struggles to shield young users effectively.

EU banks face €4-6 billion costs to implement the digital euro. The ECB proposes banks cover expenses via fees, potentially shifting the burden to consumers.

German Federal Employment Agency invests nearly €1B in digitization, focusing on SAP cloud and 32 AI tools. A major job project significantly impacted the budget for 2026.

Germany's Friedrich Merz urges mandatory real names online to "protect freedom." This push for clear identity on the web and in apps aims to increase accountability.

German companies face a March 6 deadline to register under NIS2, impacting 29,000 businesses. TÜV SÜD warns of non-compliance risks as the cybersecurity directive tightens.

EU data protection chief demands safeguards against indiscriminate scanning for voluntary chat control. Companies like Meta and Google may lose renewal of exceptions if mass surveillance risks aren't addressed.

Notepad++ plugs critical code execution vulnerability. The widely used text editor's security update closes a loophole exploited by attackers to run malicious code.

Big Brother Awards highlight privacy breaches in Amsterdam. Awards recognize 2025's worst offenders against digital rights, alongside a champion for digital freedoms.

Germany debates a child social media ban as Spotify accelerates AI development. E....

Spanish court orders VPN providers NordVPN and Proton VPN to block illegal sports streams. LaLiga can update blocklists in real-time to instantly halt piracy during live games.

EU lawmakers accelerate digital policy overhaul, eyeing AI Act amendments and a "Data Omnibus" to simplify regulations. The ambitious plan aims to boost European competitiveness by streamlining existing laws.

Spanish court demands NordVPN and Proton VPN block pirate IP addresses to combat online piracy. This ruling signals a tougher stance on digital crime, escalating the judicial battle against illegal content distribution.

"EDRi-gram" newsletter highlights digital rights concerns. The latest edition covers how a "competitiveness feast" may impact user rights.

Czech court declares blanket mobile data collection illegal, a major blow to state surveillance. The ruling cites EU law violations, demanding an end to mass data retention by the government.

EDRi urges the EU to prioritize open source for digital sovereignty, calling it crucial for resilience and autonomy. The strategy shifts focus from niche tech to a foundational element for Europe's future.