News
Daily digest of all European digital development news

Special panel report: Child safety online protecting and empowering minors in a digital world
European Commission unveils child safety report focusing on online protection. Recommendations address minors' digital challenges, social media use, and empowerment.

Swiss Army bans Microsoft for German OpenDesk solution
Swiss Army bans Microsoft for German OpenDesk solution due to cloud coercion and espionage fears. Sensitive data will not be stored on US servers.

Fritz update forces controversial data protection agreement
Fritz GmbH's FritzOS 8. 25 update forces users into a controversial agreement due to the EU Data Act....

The EU says autoplay and infinite scroll are illegal. Meta has until it responds to disagree.
The EU has accused Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to be addictive. Brussels issued preliminary findings that could lead to fines of up to 6% of Meta's global annual revenue if a final decision is reached.

From powerboat records to a $1bn war chest: meet Europe’s newest defence unicorn
Kraken Technology Group, a British uncrewed surface vessel maker, has raised $175m in a Series B round, valuing it at over $1bn. The funding will accelerate Kraken's development of maritime defence technology.

Invest Europe: Venture capital reaches second-highest level on record
Venture capital in Europe hit its second-highest record value in 2025, reaching €35. 3 billion amid resilient private capital markets....

Commission preliminarily finds the addictive design of Instagram and Facebook in breach of the Digital Services Act
European Commission preliminarily finds Meta in breach of the Digital Services Act for addictive design on Instagram and Facebook. The investigation targets features like infinite scroll and personalized recommenders, with concerns over user wellbeing and mitigation measures.

Supervisors: accelerate the transition to more digital autonomy
Supervisors are pressing for greater digital autonomy for companies, with an emphasis on joint IT contracts. Governments and companies should actively consider this when procuring IT services to stimulate European digital services.

"Can the project still be saved?" Experts doubt the implementation of the EUDI Wallet
Experts doubt the EUDI-Wallet's implementation, citing missing data protection and rushed deployment. Concerns arise over the digital identity project's feasibility and timelines.

Smart Glasses: Meta apparently plans even more invasive surveillance glasses
Meta plans a more invasive smart glasses device for permanent recording. Privacy advocates are protesting this intrusive technology.

Investing in Europe’s digital future: Study projects long-term economic impact of the European Competitiveness Fund
Study projects €1. 84-€2....

Every new EU car now needs a camera that watches the driver
Mandatory driver distraction warning systems and advanced emergency brakes are now standard on all new EU cars and vans. The European Commission confirmed the new safety tech mandate, effective July 7th, enhances pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Transparency requirements AI apply from August 2: AP advises signing code of practice
EU AI transparency rules go live August 2nd, requiring disclosure when people interact with AI. The European Commission published a practice code to detail these obligations, and the AP advises organizations to sign it.

Commission refers Ireland to CJEU for failing to enact cyber rules
The EU Commission has referred Ireland to the CJEU for failing to enact crucial cybersecurity rules. Ireland, Spain, France, and the Netherlands are the only member states yet to incorporate the NIS2 directive into national law.

With EU backing, QuantumDiamonds aims to speed up chip manufacturing
German startup QuantumDiamonds secures EU backing to accelerate chip manufacturing through novel inspection technology. The initiative aligns with the European Chips Act's goal to bolster the semiconductor industry.

Y Combinator-backed German startup Finto raises $3.4M, says chose Munich over Silicon Valley
German AI accounting startup Finto raises $3. 4M, choosing Munich over Silicon Valley for its European market focus....

Why AI provider dependency is becoming Europe’s next startup risk (Sponsored)
AI providers pose a growing risk for European startups dependent on US infrastructure. The EU AI Act now places obligations on both AI providers and deployers, sharpening concerns over foreign dependency.

Toulouse-based Bohr Energie secures €10 million to scale its AI-powered renewable energy aggregation platform
Toulouse-based Bohr Energie secures €10 million to scale its AI-powered renewable energy platform. The funding, led by Suma Capital, will help the company optimise distributed renewable assets amid volatile energy markets.

First Chamber votes in favor: cyber laws will enter into force this summer
The Netherlands approves two cyber laws that go into effect this summer, imposing new security obligations on over 8,000 organizations. The laws will strengthen the digital resilience of critical entities, including ministries and municipalities, starting August 15, 2026.

In conversation about the AI regulation
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) is offering informal discussions on the EU AI Act. Organizations grappling with compliance questions can now engage directly with the authority.
