The 10 biggest European tech stories this week

This week, Tech.eu tracked 10 technology M&A transactions and 67 funding deals (totalling €512 million, about $579 million) in Europe, Turkey and Israel.

Here’s an overview of the 10 biggest European tech news items for this week:

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1) The European Commission has blocked the proposed acquisition of O2 by Hutchison under the EU Merger Regulation. It had strong concerns that UK mobile customers would have had less choice and paid higher prices as a result of the takeover.

2) Barcelona-based Letgo raised an additional $100 million following its US merger with Wallapop.

3) Spotify is making 12 original series with the likes of Tim Robbins and Def Jam Records co-founder Russell Simmons, a dramatic expansion of video offerings from the Swedish music-streaming service.

4) Consumers will be able to access their online subscriptions for services like Netflix and Canal+ when they travel across the EU under proposals tentatively agreed by member states on Friday.

5) Berlin-based online auction house Auctionata has merged with US peer Paddle8.

6) Europe’s biggest software company, SAP, is the subject of a US security alert over a vulnerability the firm disabled six years ago.

7) Cherry Ventures, one of Berlin’s most prominent VC firms, has raised a new fund worth about 150 million euros ($170 million) that it plans to direct at the city’s burgeoning startup scene.

8) Russia’s competition watchdog has postponed a decision on a possible fine on Google until May 31.

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9) American broadcasting and media giant Comcast has acquired French programmatic private exchange software provider StickyAds.tv.

10) Free Wi-Fi could finally become a widespread reality in Germany after the country’s ruling coalition partners struck a deal over new telecom rules.

Bonus link: From Lake Garda to the Thames: Why boat drones are taking to the water in Europe

This post first appeared on Tech.eu.

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