News
Daily digest of all European digital development news
Billions in fraud? Rapper accuses Spotify of manipulation
A rapper sues Spotify alleging it manipulated streams, potentially costing billions, to favor Drake's music. The lawsuit claims Spotify ignored bots artificially inflating listening numbers.
Databroker Files: All you need to know about how adtech data exposes the EU to espionage
Brussels faces a security threat as adtech data exposes the EU and NATO to espionage. Commercial datasets with 278 million locations, including EU officials and NATO headquarters, allow for tracking and potential spying.
Databroker Files: Targeting the EU
Millions of Europeans' mobile phone location data, gathered for advertising, is being sold and could be used for espionage. Even top EU officials are potentially affected by this data breach, raising concerns about data protection failures.
Databroker Files: Data brokers sell meter-accurate location data of EU personnel
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.
Dutch startup Source.ag raises €15.2 million to scale AI software powering 300 greenhouses across 18 countries
Amsterdam-based Source. ag secured €15....
With 800 million people living with obesity worldwide, Warsaw’s Holi secures €3 million to expand its digital treatment platform
Holi, a Polish HealthTech startup, secured €3 million in seed funding to expand its digital obesity clinic across Europe. The data-driven platform will target Southern and Eastern European markets, following the lead of several other funded digital health companies.
Discussion paper raises alarm: Google, Meta & Co. dominate Europe's submarine cables
Brussels seeks a counter-strategy against Big Tech's dominance over Europe's subsea cables. Four US corporations currently control 71% of the cable capacity, according to a new report.
Swiss startup mimic lands €13.8 million to deliver “robots that can finally do what people do”
Swiss robotics company mimic secured €13. 8 million in seed funding to deploy its AI-powered robots across multiple industries....
Join the new campaign Think ahead
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.
octonomy raises $20M to accelerate agentic AI for complex service workflows
German AI startup octonomy secures a $20 million seed round to expand its agentic AI platform for complex service workflows. The funding will accelerate the development of digital coworkers designed to handle technical support tasks, achieving 95% accuracy and integrating within 20 days.
When ChatGPT appeared, Gonzalo was already there: this is how the Spanish Army is creating its own AI
Spanish Army's Logistics Academy is developing "Gonzalo" (GZLO), an AI model to assist military operations. This ChatGPT-like system aims to serve as an administrative assistant, focusing on security and confidentiality within the armed forces.
The global layoffs announced by Amazon arrive in Spain: it proposes a collective dismissal for 1,200 employees in Madrid and Barcelona
Amazon is cutting 1,200 jobs in Madrid and Barcelona as part of its global restructuring. This move follows the company's initial announcement of 14,000 layoffs worldwide.
Paris-based Altrove raises $10M to accelerate AI-designed alternatives to critical materials
Parisian deeptech startup Altrove secured $10 million in seed funding to scale its AI-designed materials, reducing reliance on critical imported resources. The funding will allow Altrove to expand labs and grow the team, aiming for industrial-scale production within two years.
New Irish Data Protection Commissioner: Human rights organization files complaint with EU Commission
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.
AI Act: Will the AI regulation be delayed?
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.
View the Referral Tree Cybersecurity Act
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.
Fear of US sanctions: International Criminal Court kicks Microsoft out of its administration
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.
EU-Startups Podcast | Episode 142: Julio Martinez, Co-founder and CEO of Abacum
Spanish fintech startup Abacum, led by CEO Julio Martinez, streamlines financial operations with its AI-powered platform for CFOs. The company, serving hundreds of mid-market firms across 31 countries, has raised $105 million to date.
ECB: Digital euro pilot could begin in 2027 once legislation passed
The European Central Bank plans a pilot program for the digital euro, launching in mid-2027 if legislation passes in 2026. Issuance of the digital currency could follow in 2029.
Meet the 18-year-old founder behind three Top-100 AI powered Apps — and a 100-hour work week
At 18, Robert Mukhametov, based in Cyprus, created three AI-powered apps, each ranking in the App Store's Top 100 without outside funding. His first app, CalSnap, uses AI to help users track calories by photographing their meals, a success achieved through bootstrapping.