The EU faces calls to reduce Ukraine's reliance on US-controlled Starlink after restrictions disrupted military operations. Kyiv has long depended on Starlink for drone interceptions, but speed limitations imposed by Washington have limited its use. The Commission is negotiating Ukraine's access to the EU'
(#source_Politico)
The International Criminal Court in The Hague was designated a sanctioned entity under US Executive Order 14203 in October 2026, cutting off access to American software updates, licenses and cloud services. The Court urgently migrated to European providers to maintain operations, highlighting Europe's exposure to US-controlled infrastructure.
(#source_pixelunion.eu)
French AI lab Mistral unveils le Chonk, a one trillion-parameter multimodal model, claiming it significantly outperforms any open-weight models developed in the US or Europe. The model, previewed to developers, targets enterprise workloads in cybersecurity, finance and law, with full release planned later this month. (TECH.EU) Mistral
(#source_Tech.eu)
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
By Christian Triantafillou Schade
China plans to impose significant restrictions on artificial intelligence technology exports, a move that could limit Europe's access to advanced AI systems. The restrictions raise concerns about strategic autonomy and digital sovereignty for EU policymakers. (BRUSSELS TIMES) China to heavily restrict AI export - The Brussels TimesChina to heavily
(#source_Brussels-Times)
A cyberattack last week targeted refrigeration systems in French supermarkets, including Intermarché and Carrefour, forcing retailers to discard spoiled food. The incident prompted EU-level coordination and highlighted vulnerabilities in operational technology across Europe's food supply chain. France's Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu personally managed the response.
(#source_Politico)
The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration cancelled its Microsoft 365 cloud deployment due to digital sovereignty, security and encryption concerns. An on-premises email and calendar system will use Microsoft software, with open-source storage and collaboration tools planned for 2027–28. (ZDNET) Dutch tax authorities cancel Microsoft 365 cloud
(#source_www.zdnet.com)
An EU-funded SPACE USB project team has developed and tested a universal, USB-like connector standard to enable easier repair, upgrade and servicing of satellites in orbit. The prototype, tested against three existing European interfaces, aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on non-EU satellite components and support in-
(#source_Cyprus-Mail)
Freedom of Information responses show multiple NHS trusts in England have declined to use Palantir’s £330m federated data platform, citing superior or equal alternatives. Some trusts reported improved scheduling, while others called the system duplicative or retrograde. The rejection highlights concerns over foreign tech dependency in critical healthcare infrastructure.
(#source_Guardian)
A Government Accountability Office audit finds none of 24 major US federal agencies has fully prepared for quantum threats to digital identity systems ahead of an October 22 planning deadline. The report highlights widespread failures in identifying vulnerable cryptographic systems, assessing funding needs and testing post-quantum cryptography. Biometric Update
(#source_Biometric-Update)
The NLnet Foundation and NGI Zero awarded grants to 47 open-source projects in the twelfth open call of the NGI Zero Commons Fund. Supported by the European Commission and SERI, the projects span hardware, software engineering, infrastructure and applications to strengthen digital autonomy in Europe. (APC) 47 Open source
(#source_www.apc.org)
A cross-border investigation finds Palantir software deployed in European militaries, police forces and healthcare systems. Multiple governments seek alternatives due to concerns over digital sovereignty, strategic dependencies and security risks. The US tech firm faces growing political pressure across the continent. netzpolitik.org reports. (NETZPOLITIK.ORG) Palantirs Geschäfte in
(#source_netzpolitik.org)
Norway’s data protection authority fined Xandr Inc. EUR 8.6 million for processing Grindr users’ personal data without valid consent, including sensitive information on sexual orientation. The decision, issued on 2 October 2026, highlights GDPR enforcement against ad-tech firms relying on invalid consent mechanisms. The case originated from
(#source_EDPB)
ABN Amro risks US sanctions for providing services to the International Criminal Court, which could exclude it from the global banking system. The case underscores Europe’s exposure to extraterritorial US financial controls and digital sovereignty risks. (NRC.SOCIAL) Dutch bank ABN Amro risks US sanctions over services to ICC,
(#source_nrc.social)
Six vendors behind the openDesk initiative, including Element, have formed Open Productivity to advance a sovereign digital workplace for businesses and critical infrastructure operators. The joint venture, led by Collabora Productivity, Nordeck, Open-Xchange, Univention and XWiki, will support the rollout of openDesk, a suite of open source applications for
(#source_element.io)
Infineon Technologies signs a multi-year deal with Wolfspeed for 200mm silicon carbide (SiC) wafers, replacing its 150mm supply. The agreement strengthens Infineon's 20-year supplier relationship and supports its shift to larger-diameter manufacturing for power semiconductors. The move aims to improve production efficiency and reduce costs
(#source_eeNews-Europe)
EU Inc founders urge Heads of State and Government to preserve key provisions in the proposed pan-European company framework, warning months of negotiations are stripping away provisions that would enable startups to scale across borders. The campaign highlights five critical elements at risk, including fully digital incorporation within 48
(#source_Tech.eu)
The EU is developing IRIS², a 348-satellite network to reduce reliance on non-European providers. A Bremen-based manufacturer is involved in its construction, highlighting Germany's central role in advancing European digital sovereignty in space-based communications. (EURONEWS) Europe's answer to Starlink: Who is building
(#source_Euronews)
