News - For Governments

EU officials face potential spying risks as mobile location data of millions is available for purchase. The data, collected for advertising, allows for tracking, even affecting top EU personnel.

The Dutch government launches the "Denk vooruit" campaign, urging citizens to prepare for emergencies, including digital disruptions like cyberattacks. This initiative provides resources to help people cope with potential failures of the internet and mobile networks.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties filed a formal complaint with the EU Commission regarding the appointment of Niamh Sweeney as Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner. The human rights organization claims her past role as a Meta lobbyist compromises the data protection authority's independence.

The implementation of the EU's AI Act, with key parts slated for August 2026, faces potential delays due to missing standards, prompting industry calls for postponement. Organizations like European Digital Rights (EDRi) warn against this, yet a delay seems increasingly likely.

Brussels launched the "Doorverwijsboom" for organizations under the Cyberbeveiligingswet (Cbw) to streamline incident reporting and support. The resource provides sector-specific guidance, CSIRT contact information, and links to ten mandatory security measures.

The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft for openDesk, an open-source office suite developed by Germany's Centre for Digital Sovereignty. This shift follows an email access issue, raising concerns about dependence on US tech.

Big Tech's lobbying in Brussels reached a record €151 million, surpassing all other industries. This surge in spending highlights the industry's opposition to EU digital regulations.

Prague's Václav Havel Airport shut down facial recognition cameras due to pressure from the AI Act and criticism. The Czech Office for Personal Data Protection confirmed the illegality of the practice after years of debate.

Austrian Data Protection Authority faces budget cuts, leading to hampered data protection capabilities. NGOs are complaining to the European Commission about Austria's failure to provide sufficient funding, impacting millions.

German police could soon gain expanded surveillance powers, including AI-powered video monitoring and biometric searches. The proposed changes to Saxony's police law are facing opposition, with the government needing support to pass them.

EDRi urges the European Commission to tackle manipulative design in the upcoming Digital Fairness Act, to protect users' fundamental rights. The organization calls for strong, binding rules to ban exploitative features and reinforce Europe’s digital rulebook.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) urges organizations to act on AI literacy, publishing an updated guide. The guide details legal obligations and offers a practical action plan for organizations deploying AI systems.

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.