The European commission ruled that deals between Apple and the Irish tax authorities amounted to illegal state aid. Apple has been ordered to pay up to €13bn in back taxes to Ireland.

According to the commission, the taxable profits of Apple Sales International and Apple Operations Europe did not correspond to economic reality. Apple paid an effective tax rate of 1% in 2003 on profits of Apple Sales International, the rate dropped to 0.005% in 2014.

Germany's rising Pirate Party made a step towards anonymous SIM card activation after it filed an appeal in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, stating that anonymous communication is protected under the European Convention on Human Rights' right to private life.

One should note that this court is not a European Union institution, it is part of the Council of Europe which consists of 47 countries, thus, the legal decision of this court will not be binding to Germany, however, knowing the political climate there, one should expect that there will be repercussions on its government if it doesn't follow the courts findings.