2026: a year for preparation and a sharper focus
2026 is the EU’s digital “set-up” year: a time to simplify rules, set priorities, and brace for transatlantic spillovers as major legislative initiatives race toward 2027.
EU TECH LOOP
Posts
Time to tone down the arrogance - we need the 28th regime to be ambitious
In 2026 Q1, the Commission will propose the 28th regime - an EU-wide regime for corporate law. It won’t fix everything, but it’s a real test: do we build a single market for founders, or another paper initiative?
Red Tape Roadblocks
Between a rock and a hard place: Europe needs a mental shift in 2026
The world that many generations of Europeans, especially Western Europeans, have been used to is now gone, and a change in perspective is needed. Either we do it willingly, or worsening circumstances will force that change upon us.
Red Tape Roadblocks
US threatens European companies (and why it may not have the desired effect)
US trade officials warned on X that European service providers could face fees and restrictions if the EU keeps “discriminatory” tech rules.
Europe has both a competitiveness and a fantasy-thinking problem
As EU governments discuss the Digital Omnibus, Europe is divided: some see the Omnibus as a necessary step to help European companies, while others cling to rules like the GDPR and the AI Act.
EU’s plans to reduce dependency on high-risk vendors
As the EU prepares to revise its Cybersecurity Act, the EU is quietly choking off funding for “high-risk” Chinese 5G vendors, pushing mobile operators and Member States toward European suppliers like Nokia and Ericsson.
Digital Networks Act: new pushback from 6 EU member states
Six EU countries are challenging the upcoming Digital Networks Act, pushing to keep national control over key telecom rules. Meanwhile, European consumers, trade partners, and the EU’s own watchdog cast doubt on the Commission’s plans.
Old wine in new bottles: Denmark strong-arms the EU on Chat Control
Despite fierce criticism from privacy advocates, EU governments have backed a "compromise” Chat Control deal that still paves the way for mass scanning of encrypted messages and de facto digital ID checks for all users.
Time to talk about encryption (again)
Consumer Choice Center Europe has joined a global statement defending strong encryption, warning that efforts to fight online crime must not weaken secure communication or end-to-end encryption as the EU debates the controversial Chat Control proposal.
Reforms to boost AI in the EU: an overview of TBI’s ideas
A new Tony Blair Institute paper lays out how Europe can stay competitive in the AI age – by reforming regulation and capital markets, boosting compute and energy, and exporting its digital government stack.
A dangerous new proposal for Chat Control
Denmark’s EU Presidency has released a new, 203-page draft for Chat Control. Despite diplomatic tweaks, vague “risk mitigation” obligations could still require scanning of private messages, including those encrypted.
EU Commission’s 2026 work programme: what’s next for digital
19 EU leaders urge “self-restraint” on new laws, yet the EU's 2026 plan is packed: 68 new initiatives, 20 evaluations, 153 pending files. Digital highlights: Public Procurement, Cloud & AI Development Act, Digital Fairness Act, plus pending digital euro and Chat Control.