The first 2026 edition of Europe Uncovered explores pressing issues in Europe amidst political and technological turmoil. This week’s investigations include:
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AI-Fuelled Disinformation: Following Nicolás Maduro’s capture, misleading images and videos circulated online, many of which were AI-generated or taken out of context, highlighting how fast-moving geopolitical events can distort public understanding.
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German Surveillance: An investigation reveals that Germany’s intelligence service secretly monitored former U.S. President Barack Obama’s communications without formal authorization, despite prior criticisms of U.S. spying on Angela Merkel.
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Dutch Tax Havens: A report uncovers how multinational companies like Tesla and Airbus exploit the Netherlands’ corporate tax structures to minimize their tax liabilities, creating a major hub for international revenue reporting.
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Google’s Health Advice Risks: A Guardian study found that Google’s AI-driven health summaries often provide misleading information, potentially jeopardizing public health by advising users on conditions like cancer and mental health incorrectly.
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Oligarch Influence in Slovakia: An investigation highlights conflicts of interest involving Slovak state secretary Radomír Šalitroš, who sold a company to associates of an indicted oligarch, raising concerns about political corruption and influence.
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EU Cybersecurity Errors: The EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) made serious errors in an AI-assisted threat report, including fake source links, prompting concerns about quality control in cybersecurity advisories.
The edition underscores ongoing challenges with disinformation, surveillance, tax evasion, misleading health guidance, oligarchic influence, and errors in cybersecurity assessments in Europe. Readers are encouraged to contribute investigations for future editions.
