Tag: eu

CCPC consumer helpline report 2025: online purchases, home improvement issues and cars

Faulty goods and services topped the list of concerns for Irish consumers for the fifth consecutive year, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (CCPC) 2025 Consumer Helpline Report. The report details key statistics and insights from consumers who contacted the CCPC consumer helpline in 2025, as well as the most-named traders.

  • 42,791 consumers contacted the helpline, mostly by phone, email and webform
  • Consumers spent an average of €6,292 on the product or service that they had an issue with
  • 10,297 consumers were referred to the Small Claims Court for redress
  • The CCPC’s free online Money Tools were used 647,483 times

There was a significant increase in the number of consumers contacting CCPC about an online purchase, up by 14% since 2024. Issues with home building or improvements were also up – by 12% – since 2024 (2,838 consumers). The biggest call driver was issues with cars, with 5,827 contacts about vehicles. The top traders named by consumers contacting the helpline included Ryanair, Rathwood and Currys.

Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications said:

“Last year the CCPC helpline saw an increase in calls about online purchases. When shopping online in Ireland and the rest of the EU, consumers have strong rights, including the right to send goods back, as long as they inform the trader within 14 days.

“One fifth of all contacts to our helpline in 2025 related to an issue with faulty goods and services. It’s important that consumers know their rights if they buy something that turns out to be faulty. Regardless of whether you had a warranty or a guarantee, it’s up to the seller to resolve your issue, you shouldn’t have to go back to the manufacturer.”

Putting your rights to work

In October 2025, the CCPC began following up with consumers who contacted the CCPC helpline to find out what happened next. The first check-in with consumers was a minimum of four weeks after they contacted the helpline. At that stage, 96% of consumers had contacted the trader. 43% of respondents had reached a resolution, with 38% of those receiving a refund from the trader. There were still challenges for consumers with 16% reporting that they incurred costs and 61% contacting the trader five or more times while trying to resolve their issue.

Home improvement help 

2,838 consumers contacted the CCPC helpline about home building or improvements, an increase of 12% since 2024. Consumers reported spending an average of €14,597 on home building or improvements that they later found issues with. In November 2025, the CCPC published an open letter to traders that provide home maintenance, construction and improvement services to remind them of their obligations under consumer protection law.

Grainne Griffin said:

“Home improvements can be costly for consumers, especially if things go wrong. Check the references of contractors and if you can, physically review previous jobs that they have done.  Make sure you get a written quote rather than an estimate and sign a contract. Having those will give you stronger rights in the event of a problem.

“Every year, issues with home building and improvements are one of the biggest call drivers to our helpline. That’s why we wrote to traders last year with clear guidelines on their responsibilities to consumers. Where traders are not following the law, the CCPC can take enforcement action.”

Product safety concerns

Last year, 1,261 consumers contacted the CCPC with product safety concerns, with one particular report to the CCPC helpline from a concerned parent leading to the recall of 1,564 baby socks due to injury concerns.

How to contact us

For consumer queries and complaints, contact the CCPC helpline on 01 402 5555 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or via our contact form or email ask@ccpc.ie.

Zens future-ready USB-C charging solution for Lenovo laptops

Zens announces a new collaboration with Lenovo as new EU regulations come into effect from 28 April 2026, requiring all laptops sold in the EU to support USB-C charging and allowing manufacturers to ship devices without a power adapter in the box. While this change is intended to reduce e-waste, it also shifts the responsibility for reliable, high-performance charging to consumers.
USB-C may be universal in name, but not all chargers deliver the same results. Underpowered or low-quality charging solutions can limit laptop performance, drain batteries during use and lead to frustration, returns and support issues. Zens and Lenovo will address this challenge with a future-ready solution that combines performance and simplicity while supporting sustainability regulation in the EU.
The collaboration introduces a single-cable solution that powers a Lenovo laptop at full performance while wirelessly charging a second device, such as a smartphone or earbuds. One cable replaces multiple chargers, reduces cable clutter and gives consumers a cleaner, more intuitive setup from day one.

At the heart of the collaboration is the Zens Charging Cable Pro 2, a Lenovo-recommended USB-C charging accessory optimised for Lenovo laptops and Lenovo USB-C power adapters. Supporting high-power USB-C charging from 65W up to 140W, the cable is designed for modern home offices and professional workspaces.

“The new EU rules make simplicity more important than ever,” says Johan Plasmans, CEO of Zens. We combine full-power laptop charging with wireless charging for a second device in a single cable. This reduces clutter and accessories while lowering environmental impact, without compromising performance.

Beyond home use, the collaboration also supports modern workspaces, where simplicity, flexibility and desk efficiency matter just as much. With one USB-C connection for laptop charging and integrated wireless charging for everyday devices, the solution helps create cleaner desks, reduces the need for multiple adapters and supports a more organised working environment. For IT teams, office managers and facility professionals, it offers a practical way to combine performance, convenience and a more future-ready office setup.

The Zens Charging Cable Pro 2 is now available as a Lenovo accessory for both professional and customer users via lenovo.com and zens.tech.

One in three traders incorrectly display discounts online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The European Commission and consumer protection authorities from 23 Member States as well as Iceland and Norway, released the results of a sweep of online discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

Ireland’s consumer watchdog, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), participated in the sweep of over three hundred online retailers. Tackling misleading discounts has been a priority for the CCPC since the introduction of new sales pricing rules, with successful prosecutions brought against a number of retailers including Boots, DID Electrical and Brown Thomas Arnotts.

Sweeps are coordinated by the European Commission and carried out simultaneously by national enforcement authorities. The objective of this sweep was to assess whether discounts and pricing practices during major sales events, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, were compliant with EU consumer law.

Consumer protection authorities checked 314 online traders selling a range of goods such as cosmetics, fashion, furniture and electrical goods, and found that 30% referenced discounts incorrectly during such sales. Under the Price Indications Directive, when a business announces a discount, the price of reference must be the lowest price applied in the past 30 days. The CCPC has previously published a set of guidelines on sales pricing.

Authorities also assessed other sales tactics that may influence consumers’ purchasing decisions. Out of the traders screened:

  • 36% attempted to add optional items to consumers’ baskets. Of those, four in ten did so without clearly requesting consent.
  • 34% displayed price comparisons. 6 in 10 of those did not clearly explain what the reference for their price comparison was.
  • 18% used pressure-selling techniques, such as claiming a product is running out or using countdown timers. The authorities identified that more than half of these cases were misleading. A pressure-selling technique can be considered misleading, for example, when its claim of scarcity is fake.
  • 10% used “drip pricing”, where extra fees are added late in the purchasing process, such as shipping or service fees.

Adding items without the consumer’s consent, displaying prices in a misleading way, claiming falsely that a product is running out, or hiding extra fees until the end of the process are illegal practices under EU consumer law. Following the sweep, national consumer authorities may take action against the businesses concerned.

Helen Martin, Member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said,

“Consumers have a legal right to clear pricing information, and businesses must not mislead consumers into thinking they’re getting a better deal than they really are. Businesses should know that we are monitoring and have successfully taken traders to court for fake discounts. Transparency in pricing allows consumers to shop with confidence and ensures a level playing field for businesses.”

Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said: 

“Trust is essential for both consumers and businesses. Misleading discounts and false ‘promotions’ undermine that trust. EU consumer protection rules strike a careful balance, ensuring a fair market that serves the interests of both businesses and consumers. This sweep gives us a comprehensive view of the market, helping us identify where further action is needed to keep it fair, transparent, and competitive.”

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said:

“Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer great opportunities for both businesses and consumers. However, a great bargain is no excuse to cheat the rules. Consumers expect a fair treatment, whether they are shopping online or offline. Our sweep should act as a reminder: Businesses that treat their customers fairly always benefit.”

AI is making cybercrime faster, not smarter. Irish organisations should tighten access and oversight.

ESET Ireland has warned that the growing use of AI coding assistants by criminals is changing the pace of cyberattacks, making it easier to automate work that previously required more time, skills and manpower.
The warning follows public reporting this week describing a case in which an attacker used an AI chatbot to support cyberattacks on government systems, including identifying weaknesses and speeding up scripting and automation.
George Foley, spokesperson for ESET Ireland, said the headline detail is not the country involved, but the method.
“This is what’s changing. The grunt work is getting easier to industrialise. If a criminal can use an AI tool to move faster, iterate faster and automate more, the gap between ‘trying it’ and ‘doing damage’ gets smaller,” he said.
Foley said organisations should not treat this as an “AI panic” story.
“AI doesn’t magically break into networks. The usual doors still matter, weak passwords, excessive access, unpatched systems, people clicking what they shouldn’t. AI just helps attackers work through those opportunities at speed.”
ESET Research has previously reported on PromptLock, a ransomware variant that uses generative AI as part of its execution flow, as an example of how the misuse of AI is already moving from theory into practice.
Foley said the shift lands at a time when more Irish organisations are being pushed towards board-level accountability for cybersecurity under the EU’s NIS2 direction of travel, regardless of sector.
“The organisations that will cope best are the ones that have basics nailed down and ownership nailed down. Who can access what. Who approves changes. Who gets alerted when data starts moving in ways it shouldn’t. And who runs the response when something goes wrong.”
He said the priorities for most organisations are straightforward: tighten identity and access; reduce admin privileges; patch known weaknesses quickly; monitor for unusual data movement; and make sure staff know what modern phishing and social engineering looks like in 2026.
For more information visit www.eset.com/ie/

CryptoEasily launches cryptocurrency mining app, participants to earn stable passive income of over $10,000 per month.

Register to receive $15 worth of cloud computing power, truly enabling zero-barrier mining.

As the global digital asset market continues to develop, more and more investors are seeking more stable and convenient ways to earn cryptocurrency profits. Recently, CryptoEasily, a global cloud computing platform, officially launched its next-generation cryptocurrency cloud mining application, designed to allow users to easily participate in cryptocurrency mining without specialized equipment or technical experience, and achieve a stable passive income of over $10,000 per month.

The newly released CryptoEasily cloud mining application enables users to start their digital asset earning journey with just a smartphone through intelligent computing power management and an automated operation system. It supports automatic mining of mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP).

A new generation of intelligent mining models

CryptoEasily’s newly launched application incorporates several innovative design and service concepts, and is completely free to use with no hardware or technical requirements.

Its core advantages include:

 

  • Zero-barrier entry: No need to buy mining machines or build a mining farm, even beginners can easily get started.
  • Automated mining: The system runs 24/7, and profits are automatically settled daily.
  • Flexible asset management: Earnings can be withdrawn or reinvested at any time, supporting multiple mainstream cryptocurrencies.
  • Low correlation with price fluctuations: Even during short-term market downturns, cash flow remains stable.

This allows ordinary investors to obtain stable returns like professional mining companies, without having to bear the costs of equipment, maintenance, and electricity.

Four Steps to Start Smart Cloud Mining

CryptoEasily significantly simplifies the traditionally complex mining process, allowing users to get started in just four steps:

Step 1: Register an account

Visit the official website: https://cryptoeasily.com

Enter your email address and password to create an account and receive a $15 bonus upon registration. You’ll also receive a $0.60 bonus for daily logins.

Step 2: Deposit crypto assets

Go to the platform’s deposit page and deposit mainstream crypto assets, including: BTC, USDT, ETH, LTC, USDC, XRP, and BCH.

Step 3: Select and purchase a mining contract that suits your needs.

CryptoEasily offers a variety of contracts to meet the needs of different budgets and goals. Whether you are looking for short-term gains or long-term returns, CryptoEasily has the right option for you:

Common contract examples:

Entry-level contract: $100 — 2-day cycle — Total profit approximately $108

Stable contract: $1000 — 10-day cycle — Total profit approximately $1145

Professional Contract: $6,000 — 20-day cycle — Total profit approximately $7,920

Premium Contract: $25,000 — 30-day cycle — Total profit approximately $37,900

(For more contract details, please visit the official website.)

Once the contract is purchased, the mining process begins immediately, and earnings are settled daily.

Step 4: Enjoy passive income

Investors can withdraw or reinvest at any time, achieving continuous compound growth. Many cryptocurrency users report earning a stable income of $10,000 or more per month through CryptoEasily.

Dedicated to making cryptocurrency mining easily accessible to everyone.

A CryptoEasily spokesperson stated, “Our goal is to make digital asset mining easily accessible to every user. Through intelligent cloud computing technology, even those without a technical background can obtain a stable and continuous source of passive income.”

About CryptoEasily

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in the UK, CryptoEasily is an innovative platform focused on digital asset management and cloud computing services. Its operations comply with UK and EU regulatory frameworks, including MiCA and MiFID II.

The platform’s business covers multiple countries and regions, and it is committed to enabling more users to easily participate in cryptocurrency mining and achieve long-term and stable digital asset returns through safe, transparent, and efficient technical services.

For more details, please visit the official website.

Official website: https://cryptoeasily.com

App download: https://cryptoeasily.com/xml/index.html#/app

Customer service email: info@CryptoEasily.com

 

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Revolut to Enable Frictionless Checkout Across All Agentic Commerce Platforms

Revolut, a global financial leader,has announced a new strategic pillar for Revolut Pay, with plans to make its seamless, one-tap checkout solution compatible across the emerging landscape of agentic commerce. This is underpinned by Revolut Pay becoming one of the first EU payment methods compatible with Google’s Agent Payments Protocol (AP2). This strategic focus will help position Revolut Pay as both the secure, universal, 1-tap payment solution for consumers and a powerful sales booster for Revolut Business merchants in conversational and automated shopping environments.

Through close collaboration with Google, Revolut has become one of the first EU payment methods compatible with AP2. AP2 is an open protocol developed with leading payments and technology companies to securely initiate and transact agent-led payments across platforms. In concert with industry rules and standards, it establishes a payment-agnostic framework for users, merchants, and payments providers to transact with confidence across all types of payment methods. In addition, Revolut has  contributed directly to Google’s AP2 open protocol by adapting the flows specifically for account-to-account payments. 

“The future of shopping isn’t a website; it’s a conversation. We aim to move beyond the click-and-pay model to a world where your AI assistant streamlines the checkout for you,” said Alex Codina, General Manager of Acquiring at Revolut. “By enabling Revolut Pay for Agentic Commerce, we are aiming to make our customers’ favourite, most secure payment experience the standard for AI-driven transactions. This will ensure speed, trust, and absolute zero friction for the next generation of digital buying.”

“The future of digital commerce relies on trust, security and speed. By leveraging Google’s AP2 protocol, Revolut will remove friction from AI-assisted shopping. Together, Revolut and Google are transforming digital commerce for millions of users in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the UK,” said Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud EMEA.

Revolut Pay ensures that customers’ transactions are handled with Revolut’s secure infrastructure, including instant notifications and integrated fraud monitoring. The process creates a cleaner, more secure experience for customers and boosts conversion rates for merchants. It also offers a trusted, familiar payment rail for this novel commerce channel.

For Revolut Business merchants, the strategic value of embracing Agentic Commerce lies in preparing for the future of payments. This foundational work and strategic commitment to full payment rail support ensures Revolut remains a trusted partner empowering merchants to thrive in the evolving agentic commerce ecosystem.

These ambitions are illustrative of Revolut’s commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation. By ensuring Revolut Pay compatibility with any agent, Revolut is directly addressing the shift in how consumers will interact with the digital economy, ensuring its core payment product is present wherever commerce occurs next.

Increased SME investment in digital transition could add €8.3 billion to the Irish economy

Digital Business Ireland (DBI), the country’s largest representative body for digital and online businesses, has today issued a major new report on supporting the further growth of digital commerce in Ireland. The report, titled ‘Taking Digital Commerce in Ireland to the Next Level’ includes and an economic assessment which estimates that doubling the average level of digital investment by Irish SMEs could add €8.3 billion to the Irish economy.
Digital commerce in Ireland is booming, driven by Irish consumers, with Ireland among the European leaders in terms of online purchasing. This level of consumer demand offers a real and tangible opportunity for businesses in Ireland. In 2024, 37.9% of small enterprises were engaged in digital commerce (CSO) – the second highest in Europe – yet many SMEs have still not reached the level of digital maturity required to compete effectively.
The report argues that businesses should be seeking, on an ongoing basis, to upscale their digital maturity and enhance their digital commerce capabilities. The report also sets-out a new Digital Maturity Model for Ireland that cover five levels: Foundational, Operational, Embedded, Transformational, Exploratory.
Following the publication of the report, Victor Timon, Chair of Digital Business Ireland, said: “The reality of digital transition is that it is a task that is never completed. The tempo of change never slows. For all the progress we have made as an economy, the accelerating pace of digital innovation and the unprecedented opportunities offered by AI means there is always new ground to travel and there is always another level to be reached. Digital Business Ireland’s core message is that all businesses should be striving and supported to move up to the next level of digital maturity. But to achieve this there needs to be transformative uplift in business investment in digital transition in Ireland.”
The report recognises that government and state enterprise agencies including Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices have played a vitally important role in supporting businesses on their digital journey.  However, the report comes against the backdrop of data which shows that while 74% of Irish SMEs have reached a basic level of digital intensity, only 39% have achieved an advanced level (EU Digital Decade). At the same time, the percentage of Irish SMEs investing in digital transition is falling (ESRI).
The report identifies a number of recommendations for future business supports from both Government and industry. Among the key recommendations are:
  • The introduction of a second, higher-value tier of the Grow Digital Voucher to support businesses in Ireland to invest in next-level digital commerce capabilities, building on the discontinued Enterprise Ireland Online Retail Scheme.
  • The introduction of targeted tax measures, such as Accelerated Tax Credits, to incentivise ongoing business investment in next-level digital commerce capabilities.
While the Grow Digital Voucher represents an important measure to support Irish SMEs at the Foundational and Emerging levels of digital maturity with meeting the costs of digital transition, the current €5,000 grant limit is not sufficient to incentivise SMEs to invest in the types of technologies and capabilities set out in the report.
Feedback to Digital Business Ireland from its member companies and partners has indicated that the previous Enterprise Ireland Online Retail Scheme had proven effective and that a similar scheme should be reintroduced to help business to meet the costs of ongoing investment in upscaling their digital retailing capabilities. Digital Business Ireland also believes tax measures could prove an accessible and effective fiscal approach to incentivising and unlocking business investment in digital transition and the adoption of AI.
The report also discusses how digital advertising is essential to the success of digital commerce, offering businesses, especially SMEs, an accessible and cost-efficient means of reaching interested consumer and growing their sales. The report recommends that the Irish Government actively champion policy positions at an EU level which seek to preserve and strengthen the ability of business in Ireland to use personalised ads. The report also recommends that Government conduct an assessment of the value of digital advertising to the Irish economy and jobs.
The report sets out a number of case studies of Irish-owned brands and retailers who have developed their digital commerce presence with the support of digital agencies who members of DBI:
  • Golden Discs – supported by Truffle Hog
  • Elephant Living – supported by Core Optimisation
  • Lily O’Briens – supported by All human
The report also includes a case study of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) who are a DBI partner and who are playing a leading role in supporting Irish businesses seeking to access finance to invest in digital transition.

Fixify Chooses Cork for EU Hub, Creating 50 High-Tech Jobs

Fixify, a leading provider in AI-driven IT support automation, has selected Cork City as the home of its new EU Centre of Excellence, creating 50 skilled jobs in the region over the next 18 months. The new facility will serve as a regional base for Fixify’s development, support, and customer success for worldwide operations.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Attending the event, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “This announcement from Fixify to select Cork as the home of its new EU Centre of Excellence demonstrates a deep commitment to the region and creates 50 high-tech jobs in an exciting and growing sector. I have no doubt that these highly skilled jobs in IT, software engineering and data analysis will be a further boost to the workforce in the region.   I want to acknowledge the role of IDA Ireland in supporting this project and I look forward to seeing the continued growth of Fixify in Cork over the coming years.”

Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment Peter Burke TD said: “Fixify’s decision to establish its EU Centre of Excellence in Cork is very welcome news and is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s position as a global leader in technology and innovation. This investment will bring 50 high-quality jobs to the region and further strengthen our thriving digital ecosystem. Cork’s deep talent pool, supported by world-class institutions like UCC and MTU, and its proven track record in attracting and sustaining high-value FDI, make it ideally placed to support Fixify’s growth. I wish the Fixify team in Cork the very best for the future.”

Fixify is now hiring in roles including IT Helpdesk Analysts, Software Engineers, Data Engineers, and Data Scientists. To explore career opportunities with Fixify, please visit Fixify careers.

“We chose Cork for Fixify’s European base — a city that brings together deep technical expertise, quality of life and community spirit — the conditions that make great work last,” said Matt Peters, CEO Fixify. “Establishing our base here enables Fixify to tap into Ireland’s exceptional talent and contribute to its thriving tech ecosystem as we scale automation and support that remains genuinely human worldwide.”

“Our investment in Cork is a strong vote of confidence in Ireland’s technology talent and infrastructure,” added Caroline Coughlan, Director, Employee Experience & People Operations at Fixify “Over the next 18 months, we will be scaling our presence here in parallel with delivering outstanding value to our customers across EMEA.”

IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said: “I am very pleased that Fixify has chosen Cork as home to its EU Centre of Excellence as it recognises the quality and depth of the South West region’s talent pool, Ireland’s vibrant culture, and our pro-business environment. I wish to congratulate Fixify on this expansion and look forward to supporting them as they enhance Ireland’s reputation as home to a thriving technology sector.”