https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed If you create content with artificial intelligence in Germany, a new law requires you to label it clearly — or risk fines. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.de/20260803/what-content-creators-need-to-know-about-germanys-new-ai-rules Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:25:41 +0200 what-content-creators-need-to-know-about-germanys-new-ai-rules AI watermarking and deepfake labelling will soon be required by law in the EU as the transparency part of the bloc’s sweeping AI Act comes into force on August 2nd. https://www.thelocal.de/20260727/explained-eus-new-rules-on-ai-deepfakes-and-chatbots Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:38:09 +0200 explained-eus-new-rules-on-ai-deepfakes-and-chatbots The European Union will from Sunday have the power to enforce landmark artificial intelligence rules and hit any companies breaking the law with fines. https://www.thelocal.de/20260801/eu-gets-new-powers-over-powerful-ai-from-sunday Sat, 01 Aug 2026 16:30:47 +0200 eu-gets-new-powers-over-powerful-ai-from-sunday Germany has overhauled its subsidies for installing heat pumps in homes, but lower-income households may actually be eligible for more support. Here's what's changed, who still qualifies and how to apply. https://www.thelocal.de/20260722/how-much-money-can-you-get-for-installing-a-new-heat-pump-in-germany Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:44:25 +0200 how-much-money-can-you-get-for-installing-a-new-heat-pump-in-germany German authorities warned Tuesday of the "growing influence" of AI and digital technology on the sexual abuse of children, saying in a report that criminal abusers are increasingly using those tools. https://www.thelocal.de/20260721/ai-playing-a-growing-role-in-child-sexual-abuse-warns-german-police Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:07:36 +0200 ai-playing-a-growing-role-in-child-sexual-abuse-warns-german-police Reporting a nuisance call might feel pointless, but in Germany, the regulatory agency can actually kill the number. Here's how to report scams in just a couple minutes, and some tips for avoiding them. https://www.thelocal.de/20260721/how-reporting-cold-calls-in-germany-gets-scammers-deleted Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:35:46 +0200 how-reporting-cold-calls-in-germany-gets-scammers-deleted Lawmakers in France are scheduled to vote on Tuesday to ban social media for under-15s -- one of 20 countries worldwide to have proposed or introduced such measures, with many of them in Europe. https://www.thelocal.de/20260713/eu-to-limit-childrens-access-to-social-media Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:02:47 +0200 eu-to-limit-childrens-access-to-social-media In Germany relying solely on high customer ratings can be a risky move, but a recent Google Maps update reveals if a local business actually earned its high score or just deleted its bad reviews https://www.thelocal.de/20260504/how-a-google-maps-update-exposes-manipulated-ratings-in-germany Mon, 04 May 2026 16:59:04 +0200 how-a-google-maps-update-exposes-manipulated-ratings-in-germany The European Union demanded Thursday that Google share data with other search engines and open up its Android system to rival AI services, but the US giant said the measures would put privacy at risk. https://www.thelocal.de/20260716/google-accuses-eu-of-undermining-privacy-of-millions-of-europeans Thu, 16 Jul 2026 16:10:36 +0200 google-accuses-eu-of-undermining-privacy-of-millions-of-europeans Online campaigns spread misinformation far and wide, and many of them prop up the far-right Alternative for Germany. Experts suspect that Russia is behind this. https://www.thelocal.de/20260715/russia-accused-of-spreading-disinformation-for-german-far-right-ahead-of-polls Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:15:03 +0200 russia-accused-of-spreading-disinformation-for-german-far-right-ahead-of-polls Filing taxes in Germany can be intimidating, particularly for foreign residents, and paid tax apps have long been a help. Now tax authorities have launched a new free app-based service, could this finally make tax season easier? https://www.thelocal.de/20260319/should-i-use-germanys-new-one-click-tax-return-service-from-elster Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:02:13 +0100 should-i-use-germanys-new-one-click-tax-return-service-from-elster The aim at least is simple: better protection for children – and clearer guidance for families navigating digital life. We look at the latest proposals for rules on social media and smartphones in schools. https://www.thelocal.de/20260624/germanys-plan-to-protect-young-people-from-social-media-harm Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:42:37 +0200 germanys-plan-to-protect-young-people-from-social-media-harm Recent scandals have highlighted how some German politicians are using AI tools in practice, raising questions about transparency, accuracy and trust in leadership. https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/why-germany-is-considering-new-rules-for-ai-in-politics Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:00:13 +0200 why-germany-is-considering-new-rules-for-ai-in-politics The European Union is moving closer to creating a digital euro as an alternative payment system for Europeans. But why are lawmakers so keen to create a virtual currency and how would it work for EU residents? https://www.thelocal.de/20260623/europeans-are-fully-awake-why-the-eu-is-pushing-for-a-new-digital-euro Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:28:04 +0200 europeans-are-fully-awake-why-the-eu-is-pushing-for-a-new-digital-euro As Europe pushes for more tech sovereignty, social network W believes it has the X-factor to win users away from other platforms: it's European. https://www.thelocal.de/20260618/forget-x-heres-w-the-new-european-social-network-to-take-on-musk Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:50:29 +0200 forget-x-heres-w-the-new-european-social-network-to-take-on-musk As debate grows across Germany, a local rule change could potentially reshape how wearable tech can be used in everyday public spaces. https://www.thelocal.de/20260607/potsdam-bans-smart-glasses-at-swimming-pools-amid-privacy-fears-in-germany Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:27:14 +0200 potsdam-bans-smart-glasses-at-swimming-pools-amid-privacy-fears-in-germany Struggling with German paperwork? From taxes to health insurance, these seven essential apps can help foreign residents decode official demands and stay one step ahead of the system. https://www.thelocal.de/20260529/the-seven-best-apps-for-navigating-bureaucracy-in-germany Fri, 29 May 2026 12:05:14 +0200 the-seven-best-apps-for-navigating-bureaucracy-in-germany Electric car buyers in Germany can benefit from a state-backed subsidy worth thousands of euros in 2026, and the portal to apply has just opened. Here's how much you can get depending on your income bracket. https://www.thelocal.de/20260119/how-much-money-you-can-get-towards-buying-an-ev-in-germany-this-year Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:22:12 +0100 how-much-money-you-can-get-towards-buying-an-ev-in-germany-this-year Did you know that doctors in Germany can prescribe more than 50 digital health apps to support various conditions, from social anxiety and depression to back pain, diabetes and migraine prevention? We break down the top-rated apps. https://www.thelocal.de/20260211/the-digital-health-apps-covered-by-public-health-insurance-in-germany Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:45:39 +0100 the-digital-health-apps-covered-by-public-health-insurance-in-germany Germans are famously protective of their privacy. With dashcams, doorbell cameras and personal assistants like Alexa becoming increasingly common, we look at what you need to know about using these devices in public. https://www.thelocal.de/20251202/what-are-the-rules-on-dashcams-and-doorbell-cameras-in-germany Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:07:13 +0100 what-are-the-rules-on-dashcams-and-doorbell-cameras-in-germany