EU shifts Big Tech enforcement from fines to behavioral interventions
The European Commission is reducing fines for Digital Markets Act breaches, with total penalties now at €1.6 billion, compared to €4.1 billion in a 2018 Google case. Brussels is prioritising behavioral interventions like specification decisions, closing cases without penalties, and regulatory dialogue to reshape Big Tech practices. The shift aims to alter core business models of gatekeepers, including Google, Apple and Meta, with Apple’s app store fee changes resolving its case. POLITICO reports. (POLITICO)
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Christian Triantafillou Schade— Digital pioneer, tech reporter, corporate revolutionary. Christian Triantafillou Schade covers Europe's push for digital sovereignty from the public record. He consults on process improvement and tooling.
Switzerland pilots move away from Microsoft on 3,000 government computers
SwitzerlandNews
Switzerland's federal administration begins a pilot phase replacing Microsoft 365 on 3,000 workstations. The move affects a small fraction of the 54,000 computers in the federal system, signalling a potential shift toward digital sovereignty. The pilot is part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on non-
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German startup achieves first commercial orbital launch from continental Europe
GermanyNorwayNews
A German startup successfully launched a 28-meter rocket into orbit from Norway, carrying five small satellites. The mission marks the first commercial orbital launch from continental European soil, advancing Europe's push for strategic autonomy in space launch capabilities. Germany's research ministry hailed the milestone as
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Iceland’s Mjóifjörður loses mobile and internet after fibre breaks
IcelandNews
Residents in Mjóifjörður remain without mobile and internet services after two fibre-optic cables were severed in a remote location, complicating repairs. The outage underscores vulnerabilities in Europe’s digital infrastructure in isolated regions. (ICELAND REVIEW)
Mjóifjörður Cut Off From Mobile and Internet Service After Fibre BreaksResidents of Mjóifjörður in
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Standards bodies advance free digital identity wallet infrastructure
News
ISO, IEC, DIN and the OpenWallet Foundation will make international standards for mobile driver’s licenses and digital ID wallets available at no cost. The move aims to strengthen interoperability and trust in Europe’s digital identity ecosystem, Biometric Update reports. (BIOMETRICUPDATE)
Digital and trust infrastructure investments unlock value of
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EU proposes permanent Northern Partnership with Iceland, Norway and Greenland
IcelandNorwayGreenlandNews
A European Parliament-commissioned report recommends a permanent partnership between the EU, Iceland, Norway and Greenland to enhance Arctic digital and energy security. The proposal covers maritime security, energy, transport and critical raw materials, with no requirement for EU membership. The 60-page study was completed before Iceland’s referendum
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Palantir CEO criticises France’s digital sovereignty policy
FranceNews
Palantir Technologies chief executive Alex Karp stated that French regulatory restrictions, including limits on government use of US-made software, were counterproductive. The remarks highlight tensions between European digital sovereignty goals and foreign tech firms operating in France. (MACAUBUSINESS)
Palantir chief says France's digital sovereignty push 'backfiring&
