Technology News in English
Latest technology headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
New Meta AI feature lets anyone create images with your Instagram photos
Meta has launched a new tool called Muse Image that allows users to create realistic images using photos from public Instagram profiles. While Meta plans to introduce settings for users to restrict th...
Supermarket chain Lidl hacked: customer phone numbers and email addresses stolen
Supermarket chain Lidl has confirmed that hackers gained access to customer data, including phone numbers and email addresses. The company has notified the Dutch Data Protection Authority, although th...
Michiel de Ruijtertunnel closed due to faulty camera system
Michiel de Ruijter Tunnel closed again following camera system failure
The Michiel de Ruijtertunnel in Amsterdam has been closed to traffic due to a failure in its camera system, which compromises safety. Authorities are working to resolve the issue, but it remains uncle...
Cooling mist from the Dom Tower: the remedy for urban heat?
As the Netherlands experiences high temperatures, researchers are debating whether spraying cooling mist from tall structures like the Dom Tower could serve as an effective solution against urban heat...
Instagram and Facebook are too addictive according to European rules
The European Commission has found that Meta's Instagram and Facebook apps violate European regulations due to their addictive design. The company faces potential fines unless it can demonstrate that i...
How Amsterdam-based travel app Polarsteps became an international hit: travel the world and let your friends follow along
New Eurostar trains must be able to withstand extremely high temperatures
Eurostar is modifying its new high-speed trains to withstand temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius. This measure is being taken to ensure service reliability as extreme summer heat becomes more com...
Digital euro one step closer after European Parliament support
The European Parliament has voted in favor of plans for a digital euro, moving the initiative a step closer to implementation. This support allows final negotiations between European Union member stat...
Amsterdam must seek alternatives to US big tech, warns UvA professor: If the cloud goes down tomorrow, a large part of operations will grind to a halt
Broadcaster uses AI version of its own presenter, but experts warn it damages trust
Voice of fake employee points to Dutch involvement in Odido hack
Dutch police have identified strong evidence of local criminal involvement in a significant data breach at the telecommunications provider Odido. The security incident, which exposed the personal info...
Amsterdam tech firm Mews cuts 15 percent of jobs due to AI
Nearly 1000 more data breach reports in 2025: ‘Scammer emails look very real’
Data breach reports in the Netherlands increased by nearly 1,000 in 2025 as cybercriminals increasingly target corporate accounts to gain access. Experts warn that these sophisticated attacks, often i...
How Bol.com is copying Amazon's strategy and becoming a bank as well as a webshop
Bol.com is expanding its business model by developing its own payment system, mirroring the strategy used by Amazon. By moving beyond retail, the Dutch e-commerce giant aims to increase its revenue st...
More large deposit machines installed, users are positive
The number of large bulk deposit machines capable of processing dozens of bottles simultaneously is increasing rapidly in the Netherlands. Eighty new machines were installed in the first half of this ...
Mobile internet usage is declining, except at hacked Odido, which also seems to be gaining customers again
Recent research shows that smartphone data usage in the Netherlands slightly declined during the beginning of the year. However, Odido experienced an increase in data usage and a recovery in customer ...
Permit granted for new data center in Amsterdam Southeast
A building permit has been issued for the first tower of a major Equinix data center in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, as the application preceded a local construction moratorium. While the facility is slated fo...
From webshop to lender: bol launches its own buy now, pay later service
Bol has established a separate credit company to manage its 'pay later' payment option. The e-commerce retailer intends to offer this service to other online stores in the future to expand consumer pa...
Amsterdam extends solar panel subsidy until end of 2026 with stricter requirements
Delays and fewer trains due to switch failure between Amsterdam Central and Schiphol
A switch failure between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol Airport is causing train delays and a reduced service frequency. Commuters are advised to expect disruptions as a result of the infrastructure ...
RTV Oost experiments with AI version of presenter: 'Curious about reactions'
Dutch broadcaster RTV Oost has launched an experiment using an AI-generated version of presenter Jaap-Erik Bijl. The digital avatar will feature in short explanatory videos across the station's websit...
ECB wants banks to create action plans against AI cyber threats
The European Central Bank is urging financial institutions to develop strategic action plans to counter the increasing cybersecurity risks posed by advanced AI systems. The regulator specifically high...
Brussels admits: new border control system not working everywhere
The European Commission has acknowledged that the new EES border control system is causing significant delays at various border crossings, particularly in busy airports. While specific locations were ...
NATO countries invest tens of billions in drone defense
NATO countries are investing 40 billion dollars over the next five years to improve drone defense systems. Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced the initiative in Ankara, citing the increasing freque...
Microsoft cuts 4,800 jobs in major Xbox reorganization
Microsoft is cutting approximately 4,800 jobs globally as the company shifts its investment focus toward artificial intelligence. The Xbox gaming division will be most significantly impacted, with rou...
Southeast Amsterdam to get mega data center: heavy user of power and drinking water, but with space for local startups
The 'toy brick' building is disappearing: cancer research center to be demolished
The iconic UMC cancer research building in Amsterdam, known as the 'blokkendoos', is being demolished following its closure in late 2024. The site will be repurposed to support the Zuidasdok project, ...
New nationwide power outage in Cuba, third in six months
Cuba is experiencing its third nationwide power outage in six months, according to the state electricity company UNE. The company is currently investigating the cause of the latest grid failure.
Controversial AI actress Tilly Norwood lands first film role
The Dutch-developed AI actress Tilly Norwood, created by Eline van der Velden, has been cast in the upcoming feature film Misaligned. The digital actress has frequently been the subject of controversy...