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 In Germany relying solely on high customer ratings is a risky move, but a new Google Maps update reveals if a local business actually earned its high score or simply deleted all 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 After standardising chargers for mobile phones, from Tuesday new computers sold in EU countries must also use the USB-C charging point, as the latest phase of EU anti-waste legislation comes into force. https://www.thelocal.de/20260428/eu-anti-waste-law-new-laptops-sold-in-europe-must-now-use-usb-c-chargers Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:16:33 +0200 eu-anti-waste-law-new-laptops-sold-in-europe-must-now-use-usb-c-chargers Humanoid robots were on full display at an industry trade fair in Hanover this week. Chancellor Merz endorsed AI technologies as key to reviving German industry, but China still dominates the sector. https://www.thelocal.de/20260422/ai-powered-robots-offer-new-hope-to-german-factories Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:47:34 +0200 ai-powered-robots-offer-new-hope-to-german-factories Filing taxes in Germany can be intimidating, particularly for foreign residents, and paid tax apps have long been a help. With the tax authorities about to launch a new free version, 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 Google will open an AI centre in Berlin on Thursday, the latest sign of Europe's deepening reliance on US firms in cutting edge technologies despite the continent's stated aim to catch up with its rivals. https://www.thelocal.de/20260305/google-opens-berlin-centre-for-ai-development Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:10:41 +0100 google-opens-berlin-centre-for-ai-development A collective legal challenge is seeking compensation for Facebook and Instagram users in Germany. Here's who can join the lawsuit and how to do so. https://www.thelocal.de/20260205/class-action-lawsuit-could-see-meta-users-in-germany-owed-e5000 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:38:11 +0100 class-action-lawsuit-could-see-meta-users-in-germany-owed-e5000 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is open to a social media ban for minors, he said Wednesday, following moves by Australia and other countries to keep young teens off popular platforms. https://www.thelocal.de/20260218/germany-chancellor-approves-of-social-media-ban-for-minors Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:26:08 +0100 germany-chancellor-approves-of-social-media-ban-for-minors Calls for a social media ban for people under the age of 16 are growing louder following similar restrictions in Australia and other European countries. So how might it work in Germany, and when would it take effect? https://www.thelocal.de/20260217/will-germany-ban-social-media-for-children Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:36:33 +0100 will-germany-ban-social-media-for-children Do you like and trust The Local? Then please take a moment to add us as a preferred source on Google to ensure our articles appear in your searches. https://www.thelocal.de/20260216/how-to-make-the-local-your-preferred-source-on-google Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:02:08 +0100 how-to-make-the-local-your-preferred-source-on-google Supporters say it would let Europeans make online payments without relying on US payment system, but critics fear it would allow governments to surveil citizens' payments. How would the digital euro work? https://www.thelocal.de/20260211/replacement-for-cash-how-the-new-digital-euro-would-work-for-europeans Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:58:55 +0100 replacement-for-cash-how-the-new-digital-euro-would-work-for-europeans 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 Could you be a scent detective? Baden‑Württemberg’s Environment Agency is looking for volunteers to take part in a year‑long investigation into the source of Ulm’s periodic and unexplained stinks. https://www.thelocal.de/20260209/foul-or-musty-german-city-of-ulm-seeks-volunteers-to-sniff-out-mystery-odours Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:55:38 +0100 foul-or-musty-german-city-of-ulm-seeks-volunteers-to-sniff-out-mystery-odours People in Germany, and across Europe, continue to rely on strings of numbers or the names of their favourite football teams as passwords, with potentially disastrous consequences. https://www.thelocal.de/20260128/what-are-the-most-commonly-leaked-passwords-in-germany Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:20:17 +0100 what-are-the-most-commonly-leaked-passwords-in-germany A new menopause app became the latest addition to Germany’s list of digital health products covered by statutory health insurance on Tuesday, joining more than 50 digital health applications already available to insured residents. https://www.thelocal.de/20260122/women-in-germany-can-now-access-a-menopause-app-with-public-insurance Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:57:02 +0100 women-in-germany-can-now-access-a-menopause-app-with-public-insurance It's official - electric car buyers in Germany can benefit from a state-backed subsidy in 2026 worth thousands of euros. 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 The sports betting industry is booming, thanks in part to a surge of mobile apps and internet platforms. Here are the rules to know about placing bets in Germany, and the dangers to be aware of. https://www.thelocal.de/20260122/what-are-the-rules-around-online-sports-betting-in-germany Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:25:38 +0100 what-are-the-rules-around-online-sports-betting-in-germany Apps and the internet can make your life better - yes, even in Germany. The trick is finding the ones that are most useful for you. Here are some apps that can help you save money on common expenses. https://www.thelocal.de/20241022/six-apps-to-save-money-in-your-daily-life-in-germany Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:16:46 +0200 six-apps-to-save-money-in-your-daily-life-in-germany The European Union reacted sharply on Wednesday to US visa sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton. https://www.thelocal.de/20251224/eu-strongly-condemns-us-visa-bans-against-five-europeans Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:36:22 +0100 eu-strongly-condemns-us-visa-bans-against-five-europeans The Trump administration has issued an entry ban against two managing directors of a German non-profit committed to combating hate on the internet, as well as founders of similar organisations in England and a former EU commissioner. https://www.thelocal.de/20251224/us-government-targets-german-non-profit-that-supports-victims-of-hate-speech Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:12:24 +0100 us-government-targets-german-non-profit-that-supports-victims-of-hate-speech Following a long period of disagreements over funding, the federal government and German states finally agreed on plans last week for a new ‘Digital Pact 2.0’, with a number of eye-catching measures designed to cut bureaucracy. https://www.thelocal.de/20251222/government-confirms-plans-to-invest-five-billion-euros-in-digital-education Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:09:58 +0100 government-confirms-plans-to-invest-five-billion-euros-in-digital-education