Southeast Europe / Tech
Bots jump Schengen queue in Turkey snapping up valuable visa appointments
Prized slots sold on for up to €3,000 on black market. Russian hackers suspected of running operation.
Google early warning app in 2023 failed to notify 10mn of Turkey earthquake severity
Expert says it is concerning it has taken more than two years to get information on extent of failure of system.
Joygame poised to become Turkey’s first public gaming company
Firm's chief talks of strong flow of talent into an industry that receives strong government backing.
Serbia expects ICT exports to reach €5bn despite incentive cuts
Serbia's ICT industry has become one of the country's leading economic drivers, with annual exports climbing from €375mn in 2012 to over €4bn in 2024.
Albania eyes AI-run ministry as PM Rama pushes digital governance
The government in Tirana has embraced AI, even using ChatGPT to analyse where Albanian legislation diverges from the EU acquis.
Turkey blocks e-SIM providers
Legal basis for the move unknown, says cyber law expert.
Moldovan parliament approves €200mn plan to build HiTech Park near Chisinau
The park is planned as a multifunctional "mini-city" for IT specialists.
Serbia's IT sector warns of exodus after incentive cuts
Serbia’s technology sector is facing potential upheaval following the government's decision to scrap a key incentive programme aimed at attracting foreign professionals.
Spotify threatens to exit Turkey after government attacks playlists mocking Erdogan’s wife
Streaming service makes it clear it stands firmly against censorship of user-generated content.
Turkey telecommunications investment surges 80% to TRY94.1bn
Turkey's electronic communications companies increased sector investment by 80% to TRY94.1bn ($2.36bn) compared to 2023.
North Macedonia's streaming platform Gley launches IPO on Skopje stock exchange
Funds raised to be directed toward original content production and expanding Gley’s catalogue of children’s and international programming.
Crypto token launched in Kyrgyzstan by Moldovan oligarch facilitates sanctions-dodging billions for Russia, says report
“A7A5” said to be first stablecoin pegged to ruble. Russian defence sector bank also behind it.
TikTok access reportedly restored in Albania three months after ban
No formal announcement of end to year-long TikTok ban but users across the country report full access to the platform.
Iranian hacker group reportedly behind Albania cyber attack
Iranian hacker group Homeland Justice has repeatedly threatened Albania which hosts the Iranian opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq.
Croatia’s Hrvatski Telekom launches 5G smart airport project to handle rising tourist traffic
Passenger numbers are rising, with Zagreb alone handling over 4.3mn people in 2024, increasing the need for smart, connected infrastructure, Croatian telco said.
How Turkey became a fintech operator in Spain and Pakistan by seizing unicorn enterprise Papara
State trustee appointed to Turkish firm that owns Madrid-based neobank Rebellion Pay and reportedly took over Pakistani operator SadaPay.
EU taps Bulgarian drone startup Dronamics for up to €30mn investment
Dronamics has become one of the most high-profile EU-based aerospace startups.
Deloitte EMEA Fast 500 Technology ranking brims with Turkish, CEE and SEE startups
Top entry from Turkey is Novi Robot, a maker of automation systems for manufacturing plants.
Bulgaria's EnduroSat raises €43mn to scale modular satellite production and expand global operations
Company to build one of Europe's largest space R&D facilities in Sofia, as it grows operations across Europe and the US.
Croatia to launch AI development plan as minister warns of major job market shifts
Digital Transformation Minister Damir Habijan says AI will transform Croatia's labour market in the coming years, eliminating millions of existing jobs while creating entirely new ones.