Policymaking Windmill Blueprint for startups: EU policy matters to follow and ways to engage EU and local policymakers are eager to hear from European founders - and AI makes monitoring policy and engaging with them faster and more affordable.
News Irish Presidency: what’s on the radar for digital, consumers, and innovators? On July 1, Ireland takes the helm of the Council of the EU with 68 "priorities" spanning competitiveness, values, and security.
Red Tape Roadblocks Why European businesses are not using AI tools Eurostat's 2025 data show that a lack of technical expertise, data privacy concerns, and legal uncertainty remain the main barriers to the use of AI tools among European businesses, even as most companies recognize AI’s potential value.
Policymaking Windmill The EU’s plan to tackle “cookie fatigue” The EU wants to reduce “cookie fatigue” through browser-level consent rules that promise fewer banners and more transparency. Critics warn the proposal could create new gatekeepers, weaken personalised advertising, and increase costs for European businesses.
News Imperfect AI Omnibus arrives - all eyes turn to Digital Omnibus The EU’s AI Omnibus is finally here, but some criticize it for a lack of ambition. While the EU must still formally approve the AI Omnibus, focus now shifts to the second leg of the EU’s digital simplification efforts: the Digital Omnibus package, which is crucial for AI development and data.
News Can Europe keep its industrial champions in the AI era? Siemens warned that EU regulations are driving industrial giants toward the US and China. As the "Trump Effect" lures factories away with tax cuts and deregulation, Europe faces a high-stakes choice regarding data rules and the chip dilemma of speed vs. sovereignty.
Red Tape Roadblocks €500 billion-worth European data economy troubles continue As AI grabs the spotlight, Europe’s data economy still powers billions in value, yet fragmented GDPR enforcement continues to hold innovators back. The Digital Omnibus was meant to help, but the EU now risks retreating from even modest reform.
Red Tape Roadblocks Italo-German competitiveness to-do list for Europe Merz and Meloni’s updated Italo-German Plan of Action doubles down on legislative self-restraint, simplification, and better regulation. The real test now is the Omnibus push and a Better Regulation reform.
News 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.
Policymaking Windmill 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.
News EU consultation on digital rules: time to think outside the box The EU’s Digital Omnibus consultation is open until Oct 14, 2025, aiming to simplify data, AI, and cybersecurity compliance. But without tackling the GDPR reform, the elephant in the room remains.
News Denmark to drive GDPR simplification: scaleups must not be forgotten EU Justice Ministers met in Copenhagen to discuss targeted GDPR simplification. While the Commission rules out a full review, momentum is growing to ease burdens, especially for SMEs and scale-ups, which are key to Europe's competitiveness.
Red Tape Roadblocks Is the EU’s deregulation for tech in the room with us? The EU talks simplification, not deregulation. Despite promises to cut red tape, major digital laws like the GDPR and AI Act are likely to remain largely untouched. Cosmetic tweaks and harmonization are the focus, while new regulatory layers resurface under fresh labels.
News EU announces plans to include GDPR in simplification efforts: what do European startups actually need? Yesterday, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath announced that the upcoming Omnibus Simplification Initiative will also include the GDPR. While the core issues with the GDPR are unlikely to be addressed, the EU should consider expanding the discussion to better support European innovators.
