News - For Governments

Civil society groups are protesting the appointment of Niamh Sweeney, a former Meta employee, as Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner. Over 40 NGOs, including Access Now and EDRi, signed an open letter voicing their concerns about the decision.

The EU Commission found TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are not providing sufficient data access to researchers, with content reporting too difficult on the latter two. The EU is demanding improvements, or the platforms could face penalties under the Digital Services Act.

The European Commission found Meta in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding content moderation, signaling a move towards enforcement. BEUC welcomes the initial steps, advocating for rigorous monitoring to protect consumers from unsafe and illegal content on platforms.

Brussels launches a new webinar series to boost its Apply AI Strategy, aiming to accelerate AI adoption in key sectors. The strategy seeks to connect infrastructure with the needs of industrial and public sectors.

Brussels announced its first Annual Progress Report, detailing efforts to simplify and enforce digital regulations. The report, covering January to July 2025, highlights the upcoming Digital Simplification Package and implementation efforts for the Digital Services Act and AI Act.

The European Data Protection Board is assessing the digital euro's potential for anonymous, offline transactions. The study explores whether the digital euro can offer a payment experience akin to cash.

The EU is hosting a webinar on November 25th, focusing on AI innovation for SMEs and startups, as well as the AI Act. The event will cover AI sandboxes, real-world testing, the AI Act Service Desk, and European Digital Innovation Hubs.

Brussels rolls out a €3M Creative Europe call to fund cross-border media literacy projects. The initiative aims to strengthen societal defenses against disinformation, opening October 23, 2025, and closing March 11, 2026.

Mobile internet prices in the EU dropped by 14. 9% in 2023, while fixed broadband fell by 3%, according to a new report....

The European Commission is launching new subsidy calls under the Digital Europe Programme, offering €204 million for digital innovation projects. These initiatives target AI, data, cloud, and digital skills, with application deadlines in early 2026.

A Dutch court ruled that Meta must respect user choices on its apps, a win for digital rights advocates. The judge sided with Bits of Freedom, stating Meta violates the law and needs to adjust its apps accordingly.

Brussels views the Digital Markets Act as a success, advocating for its expansion and strengthened provisions despite initial enforcement challenges. The DMA has become a global model for modern antitrust policy.

Slovenia will establish a national AI registry following advocacy from Danes je nov dan, aiming for public oversight of government AI systems. This move follows rising concerns about the potential misuse of AI in the public sector.

Deepfake ads on Facebook and other platforms are promoting fraudulent online investments, leading people to lose money. These scams, despite being illegal under the Digital Services Act, are proliferating due to AI-generated content.

Biometric data usage by investigative authorities faces legal challenges following a press conference in Berlin by privacy advocates. They argue that European and constitutional law prohibit matching biometric data with internet images, based on a technical assessment.

A UK court ruled that British data protection laws apply to US-based Clearview AI, a facial recognition firm. The ruling means the UK's ICO can penalize Clearview for violations, even if it operates from abroad.

EDRi warns the European Commission's "Digital Omnibus" risks dismantling fundamental rights, despite claims to simplify digital policy. The initiative, expected by November 19, 2025, has drawn criticism regarding potential impacts on digital protections.

The enforcement of the Digital Services Act in Germany is under scrutiny, with its success depending on the perspective and stakeholders involved. The delay of the DSC-Beirat's re-establishment highlights the complexities of the DSA's implementation.

EDRi and 40 civil society organizations are urging the European Commission to assess the independence of Ireland's new Data Protection Commissioner. The groups are concerned about impartiality due to his previous role at Meta.

Brussels faces scrutiny over new rules that could lead to mass surveillance of European citizens' digital communications. These rules, focused on data retention, follow a previous directive that was struck down for violating fundamental rights.