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47Tesla's self-driving software gets Dutch go-ahead, in boost for EU ambitions
Tesla's self-driving software received approval from Dutch regulators for use on highways and city streets under human supervision, marking the first regulatory approval in Europe.
rest_microplastics_opinion_rac_16339_en.pdf
This document appears to be an opinion from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) related to microplastics.
French Winemakers Receive EU Aid to Turn Unsold Wine Into Industrial Ethanol
The European Union is disbursing €40 million ($46.4 million) to French winemakers to distill unsold wine into ethanol in order to stabilize prices amid declining global demand.
Greece to ban social media for under-15s from 2027, calls on EU action
Reuters reports that Greece will ban social media access for children under 15 starting January 1, 2027, citing concerns about anxiety, sleep problems, and addictive designs.
Reaffirming our commitment to child safety in the face of European Union inaction
Google expresses concern over the expiry of the ePrivacy derogation in the European Union, which enables technology to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM), arguing that this inaction risks the safety of children across Europe.
Tech firms enter legal limbo over child abuse scanning
Tech companies are facing legal uncertainty regarding scanning for child sexual abuse material due to the EU's draft law on detecting, reporting, and removing illegal content, which could mandate scanning while also conflicting with the Digital Services Act's ban on general monitoring. The ambiguity leaves firms like Meta unsure of how to proceed amidst concerns over user privacy and potential fines.
‘Fatal decision’: EU slammed for caving to US pressure on digital rules
The European Union is being criticized for allegedly succumbing to pressure from the United States regarding digital regulations.
Slovenia becomes first EU state to introduce fuel rationing
Slovenia has become the first EU state to introduce fuel rationing, limiting motorists to a maximum purchase of 50 litres of fuel per day until further notice.
End of “Chat Control”: EU Parliament Stops Mass Surveillance in Voting Thriller – Paving the Way for Genuine Child Protection!
The article discusses the end of mass surveillance of private messages in Europe, stating that the European Parliament has stopped "Chat Control" by US tech companies.
@tuta.com on Bluesky
This Bluesky post announces that the European Parliament decided Chat Control 1.0 must stop which means on April 6, 2026, Gmail, LinkedIn, Microsoft and other Big Techs must stop scanning private messages in the EU.
EU backs nude app ban and delays to landmark AI rules
The EU Parliament voted to delay deadlines for high-risk AI systems and watermarking AI-generated content from August until at least next year, while also backing a ban on nude apps.
EU probes Snapchat for failing to protect kids from grooming and illegal goods
The EU is investigating Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, for allegedly failing to protect children from grooming and illegal goods on its platform.
Fight Chat Control - Protect Digital Privacy in the EU
Fight Chat Control is a campaign to protect digital privacy and encryption in the EU by informing people about the EU Chat Control proposal and urging them to contact their representatives.
Meta’s New Display Glasses Withheld From EU Over Battery Rules, Supply Shortages
Meta Platforms Inc.'s European Union rollout of its new display-equipped Ray-Ban smart glasses is facing delays due to battery and AI regulations, and supply shortages.
Finland Shelves Plan to Move Election Platform to Amazon Servers
Finland shelved its plan to move its election platform to Amazon Web Services (AWS), reflecting Europe's push for digital autonomy amid declining trust in the US.
World’s broadcasters urge EU to tighten rules for big tech in smart TV battle
Global broadcasters are advocating for the EU to strengthen regulations for big tech companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Samsung in the smart TV market.
rz01.org
This article from rz01.org appears to be about migration within the European Union, though the content is not accessible for a detailed summary.
'Miracle': Europe reconnects with lost spacecraft
The European Space Agency (ESA) has regained communication with a spacecraft from its Proba-3 mission after a month of lost contact, marking a successful recovery.
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The CEO of Mistral AI proposes a revenue-based content levy in Europe to compensate copyright holders and provide legal clarity for AI companies using copyrighted material. The levy aims to protect the livelihoods of copyright holders.
EU Advances Ban on AI Tools Creating Non-Consensual Sexual Images
The European Union is moving to ban AI tools that create non-consensual sexual images following the use of Elon Musk's Grok service to generate undressed pictures, particularly of women and children.
Obsession with growth is destroying nature, 150 countries warn
A coalition of 150 countries warns that the global obsession with economic growth is harming nature and threatening global goals. The countries are calling for a shift away from prioritizing GDP and towards integrating natural capital into economic decision-making.
Trump Wants His European Frenemies to Bail Him Out on Iran
President Trump is pressuring European allies to help mitigate the economic fallout from his policies regarding Iran. The article questions whether Europe will align with or defy Trump's demands, particularly in the context of economic pressures and strained relationships.
Paramount-Warner Bros mega-merger could still face ‘real threats’, antitrust experts say
A proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will face scrutiny from regulators in the US, EU, and UK. Antitrust experts suggest the deal faces "real threats" despite potential benefits to consumers.
TGIF: Get Them Before They Get Me
This week's TGIF covers topics ranging from the real victims of war in Iran to the feeling that the year 2020 was a bad dream and Bellevue becoming the new Seattle. The piece also touches on Venezuela and the EU's desire to avoid escalation.
The engine of Germany's wealth is blocking its future
The European Correspondent article examines how Germany's focus on manufacturing, particularly the automotive industry, is hindering its transition to a more sustainable and technologically advanced economy. It argues that this reliance on traditional industries is causing Germany to fall behind in areas like digitalization and renewable energy.
Ireland shuts last coal plant, becomes 15th coal-free country in Europe
Ireland has closed its last coal plant, Moneypoint in County Clare, becoming the 15th coal-free country in Europe. The shutdown is attributed to increased renewable energy generation, particularly wind, although Moneypoint will function as a backup oil burner under emergency instruction, no longer active in the wholesale electricity market.
China’s Huawei dominates telco jamboree despite European bans
Despite facing bans in some European countries, Chinese telecom giant Huawei maintains a significant presence at a major industry event. The company showcases its technology and engages with potential clients, highlighting the challenges Western governments face in curbing Huawei's influence.
Helsinki just went a full year without a single traffic death
Helsinki, Finland had zero traffic deaths in 2023, a feat attributed to comprehensive safety measures. These include lower speed limits, infrastructure investments, and a focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety, setting an example for the EU and other cities globally.
We Open-Sourced Our Article 12 Logging Infrastructure
Systima AI open-sourced its Article 12 audit logging infrastructure, providing an honest account of what an open-source audit logging library can and cannot contribute to EU AI Act compliance. The company details what they built, what they left out, and why.
Poland Plans Social Media Ban for Kids in Challenge to US Tech
Poland is advancing legislation to prohibit social media use for children under 15, potentially leading to conflict with major U.S. tech companies. The move highlights growing global concerns about the impact of social media on youth and sets up a potential regulatory battle.
Breaking Free
The Norwegian Consumer Council's report, "Breaking Free," examines the phenomenon of "enshittification" and its impact on consumers and society. The report is accompanied by a letter to policymakers in the EU/EEA, UK, and US, signed by over 70 consumer groups and other actors, advocating for measures to resist this trend.
Tesla registrations crash 17% in Europe as BEV market surges 14%
Tesla's EU+EFTA+UK registrations experienced a 17% crash in January 2026, a decrease from already weak 2025 figures. The BEV market in Europe surged by 14% overall, with growth reaching 16% if Tesla's performance is excluded.
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European officials are expressing doubt regarding politicians' efforts to decouple from US tech companies. The officials, some of whom are un-named, are sceptical of the ability for European companies to fill the gap that would be left by American tech.
Hetzner (European hosting provider) to increase prices by up to 38% due to high demand & hardware costs : BuyFromEU
Hetzner, a European hosting provider, is increasing its prices by up to 38% due to high demand and rising hardware costs. This is reportedly driven by businesses and developers migrating to European tech alternatives.
Russia-linked cryptocurrency services and sanctions evasion
Elliptic's blog post discusses how Russia-linked cryptocurrency services continue to enable sanctions evasion through obfuscation and ruble-to-crypto trading, despite growing enforcement efforts. These services facilitate wallet manipulation and trading between rubles and cryptocurrencies, highlighting ongoing challenges in regulating the cryptoasset space.
Over 80% of 16 to 24-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU, ITV poll finds
An ITV poll reveals that 83% of 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK would vote to rejoin the EU if another referendum were held. Only 17% of that age group would vote to remain outside the EU.
New law on more sustainable, circular and safe batteries enters into force
A new European Union law designed to promote more sustainable, circular, and safe batteries has taken effect. The law aims to ensure batteries are collected, reused, and recycled within Europe, supporting a shift towards a circular economy.
"Made in EU" - it was harder than I thought.
The author details their attempt to build a startup exclusively using European infrastructure, outlining the successful tech stack and the challenges encountered. While some services were readily available, the author found certain dependencies, like mobile operating systems and hardware, impossible to avoid.
Cumulative CO₂ emissions
Our World in Data presents a graph showing cumulative CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and industry since records began. It excludes emissions from land-use changes and tracks the running total in tonnes for different countries and regions.
EU Tech Map
EU Tech Map is a directory of European tech, software, and service alternatives. The site focuses on companies that respect data sovereignty, comply with GDPR, and store data in Europe.
How AI is affecting productivity and jobs in Europe
A survey of over 12,000 European firms reveals that AI adoption increases labor productivity by an average of 4% across the EU. The study finds no evidence of short-term employment reduction due to AI, though productivity gains are not evenly distributed among firms.
Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere
The U.S. government is planning to launch an online portal by 2026 to circumvent content bans in Europe and other regions. The portal, overseen by the State Department, aims to provide access to information blocked by local laws, potentially putting Washington in the position of encouraging citizens to disregard those laws.
Gemini ousts COO, CFO and Chief Legal Officer after international exit and 25% staff cuts
Crypto exchange Gemini ousted COO Marshall Beard, CFO Dan Chen, and Chief Legal Officer Tyler Meade. This comes after the company announced plans to shut down its U.K., EU, and Australia operations and refocus on the U.S. and prediction markets, as well as cutting 25% of staff.
Germany Moves Closer to a Social Media Ban for Those Under 16
Germany is moving closer to imposing age restrictions on social media, potentially banning those under 16. The move is likely to escalate tensions between Germany and former US President Donald Trump.
EU Parliament blocks AI tools over cyber, privacy fears
The European Parliament has blocked the use of AI-powered features, including transcriptions and summaries, over concerns about data security and privacy risks. The decision, prompted by vulnerabilities identified by security firm Varonis, restricts access to AI functionalities within the Parliament's IT systems until sufficient safeguards are implemented.
Why Europe Is Talking About Nuclear Weapons
The article discusses the increasing conversation around nuclear weapons in Europe due to declining confidence in American protection. It highlights the need for Europe to consider its own deterrence capabilities as a collective.
Google secures EU antitrust approval for $32 billion Wiz acquisition
Google received unconditional EU antitrust approval for its $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity company Wiz. European regulators concluded the deal would not raise competition concerns, marking Google's largest ever acquisition.