Technology

France considers requiring Musk’s X to verify users’ age
“X has indicated since 2024 that it accepts the distribution of pornographic content. It must therefore be treated as such,” Digital Minister Clara Chappaz’s office said.

UK judge sounds alarm on AI misuse in courts

EU’s zero-for-zero tariff bid stalls amid US pushback

EU could postpone flagship AI rules, tech chief says

French equality minister launches war with Big Tech, flabbergasting digital ministry

ECB cuts again as it heads into an uncertain future

VPN signups surge after Pornhub pulls out of France
Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ rules breach EU law, top court adviser says
Legal opinion bolsters EU’s challenge against Viktor Orbán’s conservative culture war.
Europe’s dream to wean off US tech gets reality check
As the Trump administration plays hardball, a new EU strategy puts collaboration front and center.
China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine
Beijing denies helping Moscow, but Russia is scaling up both the production and the sophistication of its drones.
Trump’s steel tariff raise misses real target, says EU
“Let’s not target each other” on metals duties, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič urges after meeting U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris.
Microsoft didn’t cut services to International Criminal Court, its president says
Chief prosecutor’s email issues have spurred fears in Europe that Trump could trigger a “kill switch” through U.S. tech giants abroad.
How AI and copyright turned into a political nightmare for Labour
How an initially uncontroversial data bill became a political football — and radicalized Elton John.
Pope Leo XIV wants to stop AI playing God
The freshly appointed pope is challenging the technocracy of artificial intelligence.
Pornhub to suspend porn in France
Porn industry giant protests Paris’ measures to verify the age of users.
TikTok bans ‘unhealthy’ SkinnyTok hashtag after pressure from regulators
Efforts to protect kids online are gaining traction in Europe.
British man charged in US over plot to smuggle military tech to China
John Miller discussed exporting a sensitive encryption device from the U.S. to China in a blender, U.S. authorities said.
Dutch defense minister warns of Chinese spying threat
Beijing’s espionage on Dutch semiconductors and other high-tech areas is “intensifying,” Ruben Brekelmans tells Reuters at Shangri-La Dialogue security forum.
Berlin drafts bill to tax digital platforms
“We consider a tax rate of 10 percent to be moderate and legitimate,” Germany’s culture minister said.
After four months of disruption, Elon Musk signals he’s leaving government
The DOGE leader said his “scheduled time” as a special employee is up.
Rubio targets foreign nationals who he alleges police Americans’ social media posts
He called out Europe over speech crackdowns and pressures on U.S. tech platforms.
Artificial intelligence threatens to raid the water reserves of Europe’s driest regions
The EU wants to compete with the U.S. and China on artificial intelligence. But critics say policymakers haven’t planned for the sector’s extreme water demand.
A big, beautiful EU trade deal with Trump? Dream on!
European politicians have no appetite to give the White House big concessions and revisit the inflammatory topics that dominated the TTIP talks a decade ago.
Trump claims victory over EU in 50 percent tariff standoff
Donald Trump threatened the EU with a 50 percent tariff last week, on the grounds that talks between the two sides were “going nowhere.”
EU opens probe into porn platforms over lapses in minor protection
The investigations will focus on the platforms’ age verification measures, among other things.
EU plans new fund to help tech companies build scale
Cashpot seeks to counter tech dependency on U.S. and other global powers.
Trump threatens EU with 50 percent tariff from June 1
Ultimatum comes hours before crunch call between U.S. and EU trade negotiators.
EU, US to discuss tariff offers on Friday
EU stands by its approach in the talks with Washington, Commission spokesperson says.
German firm shipped restricted tech to Russia — after EU sanctions kicked in
Calls for tightening of bloc’s sanctions regime after Kontron was able to export millions in sensitive telecoms tech to its Russian arm in late 2023.
Belgium bugged Anderlecht football stadium to spy on Huawei MEP lobbying
Dramatic revelations shed fresh light on investigation into whether Chinese tech firm tried to buy influence in EU politics.
Western countries reveal major Russian cyber-espionage campaign
Attacks ramped up after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.