News
Daily digest of all European digital development news

AWS, Azure, Google Cloud: the cloud giants would be in the crosshairs of Brussels (we explain why)
Brussels is investigating whether to impose new obligations on cloud services from Amazon, Google, and Microsoft under the Digital Markets Act. This action aims to address potential anti-competitive practices within the cloud market.

Study on the Digital Services Act: Transparency database for online services does not meet objectives
Brussels' transparency database for online services, part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), faces criticism for failing to meet its goals. A recent study reveals shortcomings in the database, designed to increase public understanding of online content moderation.

Data Protection Reform: EU states agree on faster GDPR enforcement
EU member states agreed on new rules to accelerate GDPR enforcement and cross-border data protection investigations. This aims to streamline cooperation among national data protection authorities, improving data privacy.

EU adopts Digital Trade Agreement with Singapore despite warnings: a setback for digital rights and democratic oversight
Brussels approved the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement, despite warnings of setbacks to digital rights and oversight. The agreement weakens the Union's ability to protect privacy and data, as deregulation pressures rise across Europe.

The "godfather of AI" believes AI LLMs are a dead end. Meta has turned him into a figurehead scientist
Yann LeCun, a leading AI figure, believes current generative AI models are a dead end, diverging from industry focus. LeCun, previously at Meta, is reportedly preparing to launch his own startup, challenging the data-intensive AI approach.

Berlin’s voize raises €43 million to use their AI companion to give nurses time for what matters most; care
Berlin-based voize secured €43 million in Series A funding to expand its AI companion for nurses across Europe and the US. The funding, led by Balderton Capital, reflects a vibrant European HealthTech landscape with roughly €68 million in sector-adjacent funding this year.

voize lands $50M to bring AI where it’s needed most: the nursing frontline
voize secured $50 million in Series A funding to deploy its AI companion for nurses, tackling the global nursing shortage. The AI streamlines workflows by handling documentation and scheduling, currently used in over 1,100 care facilities in Germany and Austria.

The operator that connected Spain for decades now faces its most difficult disconnection: the internal one
Telefónica plans a significant restructuring, announcing a layoff affecting 6,000-7,000 employees in Spain. The reduction, driven by infrastructure investments and changing market dynamics, represents a 70% workforce decrease since 1997.

French DeepTech Hummink secures €15 million to bring surgical-level precision to microelectronics manufacturing
Hummink, a French deeptech startup, secured €15 million to expand its High-Precision Capillary Printing technology. The technology enables high-accuracy metal printing and micro-defect repair for microelectronics manufacturing, crucial for AI advancements.

Commission evaluates the Digital Services Act’s interaction with other EU laws and its designation threshold for VLOPs and VLOSEs
The European Commission's report assesses the Digital Services Act's impact on very large online platforms and search engines. The report confirms that the designation criteria, including the 45 million monthly active users threshold, remain effective.

Flatpay anointed as the latest Danish unicorn
Danish fintech Flatpay joins the unicorn club after securing $170 million in funding, valuing the company at $1. 7 billion....

Report on application of Article 33 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (DSA) and the interaction of that Regulation with other legal acts
The European Commission's report highlights the Digital Services Act's (DSA) strong compatibility with other EU laws. It finds the DSA and other regulations largely reinforce each other, with the potential for further improvements via evaluations.

Guidoio raises €3.5M to scale its digital platform for driving licenses
Milan-based Guidoio, Italy's first fully digital driving school, secured €3. 5 million in seed funding to expand its platform....

How Snapchat manipulates its users through notifications
Dutch research reveals Snapchat employs deceptive notifications, violating the Digital Services Act's ban on manipulative design. The findings will inform potential enforcement actions, as platforms increasingly prioritize grabbing user attention.

Summit on Digital Sovereignty: Europe Needs the Courage to Share Its Sovereignty
Berlin hosts a summit on European digital sovereignty, bringing together 900 experts to discuss technological independence. The German and French governments lead the initiative, aiming for a broader, global approach to code and digital standards.

Funding the AI economy: Strengthening Europe’s investment capacity
Europe's AI investment faces fragmentation despite strong progress, according to a new EU report focused on strengthening its funding capacity. While Europe's venture capital allocated 18% of €252 billion to AI between 2020 and 2025, the US dedicated 34% of €1....

Revolut seals a new partnership with Booking.com, but what for?
Revolut partners with Booking. com to enhance the payment experience for travelers....

With this new French exchange, the tokenization of markets is accelerating. Here's why it's crucial
Lise, a new blockchain-based stock exchange, launches in France to accelerate tokenized markets for French SMEs. The exchange, open 24/7, will allow companies to raise funds through tokenized shares starting in 2026.

Amazon Strikes Back at IPTV Through Fire TV Stick
Amazon is cracking down on the misuse of its Fire TV Stick devices to access illegal sports streams, taking action against IPTV services. The company is implementing mechanisms to block these services, aiming to protect its platform from copyright infringement.

Zilch nets $175M, Backed VC closes $100M Fund III, and nd Ukraine’s LIFT99 emerges even stronger after a missile attack
Zilch secured $175M, eyeing strategic mergers and acquisitions within the fintech space. The week saw over 60 European tech funding deals, totaling more than €736 million across the continent.
