These were the 10 biggest European tech stories this week

(Tech.eu) – Happy Friday! Here’s an overview of the 10 biggest European tech news items for this week:

1) Big exit in European tech: Antivirus software company AVG Technologies was acquired by rival Avast Software for $1.3 billion.

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2) The Privacy Shield agreement between the U.S. and Europe that will regulate data transfer between both regions has been signed off on by member states of the EU, and could come into effect very soon.

3) U.K.-based security startup Darktrace and Germany’s Brillen.de raised the two largest rounds of funding in Europe for the week, at $65 million and $49 million, respectively.

4) Swedish payments company iZettle announced revenue growth of 81 percent last year, but its operating loss widened because of heavy spending to attract customers.

5) Also on the payments front, Stripe launched its “Connect” product in the U.K., Ireland, and several Nordic countries to help startups receive payments from any country where Stripe is live.

6) Reactions to Brexit continue, as technology giants like Facebook say that their opinion should be taken into consideration in Brexit talks. Will Emerald City be the new startup hub in Europe?

7) One of the bigger worries of U.K.-based technology companies has to do with access to talent, and London tech heavyweights call for European talent to remain in the capital following Brexit vote.

8) French automotive giant PSA Groupe is to launch a €100 million venture capital initiative.

9) Remember the EU’s cookie law? The tech industry gangs up on the European Commission, calls for cookie law to be scrapped.

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10) The EU this week proposed stricter rules on Bitcoin and prepaid cards as part of efforts to fight terrorism. Ars Technica is worried that this could undermine fundamental rights.

Bonus link(s): A German political party explained why it drove a van around London encouraging startups to move to Berlin.

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This story originally appeared on Tech.eu. Copyright 2016

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