Tech
Latest news on technology and digital transformation.
Europe eyes battle over 'pervert' AI glasses
Calls are growing louder in Europe for action against "pervert" smart glasses after secretly filmed footage of girls and women appeared online -- with a petition in Britain demanding a ban on their sale.
Big tech to banking: Which companies spend the most on EU lobbying?
If there is an industry for it, there will be a lobby group representing its interests in Brussels, home to the European Union's institutions. But which companies or lobby groups splash out the most on seeking to influence EU policy?
Inside Italy: Why AI is no match for Italian bureaucracy
How can you make Italian bureaucracy even more needlessly complicated than it already is? Just ask an AI chatbot, writes Clare Speak in this week's Inside Italy.
Why you should make The Local one of your preferred sources on Google
If you like and trust The Local's coverage you can easily add us as a preferred source on Google to make sure our articles appear in your searches.
EU demands Meta 'protect our kids' after US settlement
The EU said Thursday it expects Meta to address "addictive" features of its platforms in Europe, after the tech giant agreed to sweeping limits on teen use of Facebook and Instagram in some US states.
French newspapers target Google over AI summaries
A federation of nearly 300 French newspapers says it has filed a complaint with the country's competition authority over Google's new AI-generated summaries of search results, fearing the feature will erode traffic to their own websites.
EU tells Meta, TikTok to boost monitoring, fact-checking
The EU's tech chief called on Meta and TikTok to "act decisively" to stem disinformation at times of crisis, saying the European Commission held talks with both platforms Friday following last week's Ceuta migrant surge.
Explained: The EU's new rules on AI, deepfakes and chatbots
AI watermarking and deepfake labelling will soon be required by law in the EU as the transparency part of the bloc’s sweeping AI Act comes into force on August 2nd.
EU gets new powers over powerful AI from Sunday
The European Union will from Sunday have the power to enforce landmark artificial intelligence rules and hit any companies breaking the law with fines.
EU renews online child sex abuse detection powers
The European Union on Thursday allowed online platforms to scan for child sexual abuse material in users' chats -- but with an exemption for encrypted messaging services.
European countries move to ban social media for children
Lawmakers in France are scheduled to vote on Tuesday to ban social media for under-15s -- one of 20 countries worldwide to have proposed or introduced such measures, with many of them in Europe.
Google accuses EU of undermining privacy of 'millions of Europeans'
The European Union demanded Thursday that Google share data with other search engines and open up its Android system to rival AI services, but the US giant said the measures would put privacy at risk.
Lexbase case: EU court tells Sweden selling criminal records online violates GDPR
The EU's top tribunal said that putting criminal records online for payment does not constitute journalism and violates data protection rights, after a Swedish court asked for guidance.
'Europeans are fully awake': Why the EU is pushing for a new 'digital euro'
The European Union is moving closer to creating a digital euro as an alternative payment system for Europeans. But why are lawmakers so keen to create a virtual currency and how would it work for EU residents?
Forget X here's W: The new European social network to take on Musk
As Europe pushes for more tech sovereignty, social network W believes it has the X-factor to win users away from other platforms: it's European.
OpenAI to launch its first Nordic office in Stockholm
OpenAI, the American company behind the tool ChatGPT, is set to open its first Nordic office in Stockholm during the second half of 2026.
French spies drop AI giant Palantir over US overreliance fears
France's domestic intelligence agency will stop working with American AI giant Palantir, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday, as European nations increasingly doubt the dependability of the United States.
Swedish Public Health Agency recommends no smartphones for children under 13
Sweden's public health agency announced it was recommending that parents not give children their own smartphones before the age of 13, citing several risks associated with their use.
EU anti-waste law: New laptops sold in Europe must now use USB-C chargers
After standardising chargers for mobile phones, from Tuesday new computers sold in EU countries must also use the USB-C charging point, as the latest phase of EU anti-waste legislation comes into force.
Swedish steel startup Stegra to receive 1.4 billion euro investment
Swedish steel producer Stegra is set to receive 1.4 billion euros in funding from a consortium led by Wallenberg Investments.
Swedish union leaders warn 'haphazard' citizenship reforms could harm international reputation
With less than a month until parliament is set to vote on Sweden's biggest citizenship overhaul in years, Spotify Workers Unionen and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) have thrown their support behind a campaign to include transitional rules for those already in the Migration Agency's queue.
Swedish games boss warns 'retroactive' citizenship reforms 'not good for industry'
Pushing through citizenship reforms without transitional rules will make Sweden less attractive to international talent, the acting head of the Swedish Games Industry Association has warned.
Replacement for cash? How the new 'digital euro' would work for Europeans
Supporters say it would let Europeans make online payments without relying on US payment system, but critics fear it would allow governments to surveil citizens' payments. How would the digital euro work?