Neowin News Feed for: France

Macron just got France a big 75 billion euro AI push from SoftBank

Hamid Ganji — Sun, 31 May 2026 06:58:01 +0000

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has announced a €75 billion ($87 billion) investment plan to expand France's AI infrastructure, including new AI data centers. Read more...

Windows 10 gets a funeral in France as furious activists parade a coffin, blasting Microsoft

Usama Jawad — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:28:01 +0000

A literal coffin for Windows 10 hits the streets as protesters slam Microsoft's cutoff, warning millions of PCs could be pushed to the grave next. Read more...

France ditches Windows in favor of Linux

Usama Jawad — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:12:02 +0000

France is preparing to replace Windows across its government, marking a major move toward EU- and Linux-based alternatives and greater control over its digital infrastructure. Read more...

Microsoft invests in European languages and culture to build smarter, more inclusive AI

Fiza Ali — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:20:01 +0000

Microsoft is launching new AI initiatives in Europe to preserve linguistic and cultural heritage, ensuring the continent's diverse voices are better represented in the cloud-powered digital age. Read more...

City in France is latest to ditch Windows and Office in favor of Linux and FOSS alternatives

Usama Jawad — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:34:01 +0000

The third-largest city in France has decided to ditch Microsoft's software offerings in favor of open-source alternatives like Linux. Read more...

Telegram CEO says French authorities demanded a backdoor to access users' messages

Hamid Ganji — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:56:01 +0000

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov revealed that the French police and European Commission are advocating for a law that forces messaging apps to implement a backdoor for authorities. Read more...

Meta faces new AI copyright infringement lawsuit in France

Aditya Tiwari — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:10:01 +0000

Social media giant Meta is in hot waters over a new AI copyright lawsuit filed by publishers and authors in France. Read more...

Apple starts selling refurbished iPhone 15 models in Europe

Sagar Naresh Bhavsar — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:36:01 +0000

You can now buy refurbished iPhone 15 models from official Apple websites in multiple European countries. Read more...

This could be a hint that Samsung may introduce two new Galaxy Ring sizes

Sagar Naresh Bhavsar — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 13:26:01 +0000

Official support pages of two new Galaxy Ring sizes have gone live in the UK, and multiple other regions, confirming the addition. Read more...

Spotify launches Audiobooks in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg

Steve Bennett — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:38:01 +0000

Spotify's Audiobooks for Premium subscribers are now rolling out to more European countries starting today. Read more...

Simulated gambling triggers R18+ rating in Australia for iPhone apps

Paul Hill — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 07:38:01 +0000

Apps featuring simulated gambling will be marked with R18+ ratings in Australia, reflecting the government's push for stricter regulations on such content. Read more...

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov releases first public statement since his arrest in France

Martin Hodás — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 07:54:01 +0000

In his first statement since his arrest, Pavel Durov blames French authorities, yet he promises to do more to stop criminals abusing Telegram. Read more...

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov officially charged for alleged crimes in France

John Callaham — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 21:58:01 +0000

The founder and CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been charged in France for allegedly enabling crimes via the popular messaging app. Read more...

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE official support page suggests that device is coming soon

Sagar Naresh Bhavsar — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 14:00:01 +0000

The official support page for the alleged Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has gone live in France, suggesting an imminent launch of the device. Unfortunately, the listing doesn't reveal anything major. Read more...

Apple users can now tap and pay for rides in Paris metro, get real-time transit updates

Aditya Tiwari — Tue, 21 May 2024 19:46:01 +0000

Apple Wallet users living in Paris can now add their Navigo transit cards to pay for their daily commute. They can make payments using an iPhone or Apple Watch with support for tap and pay. Read more...

Microsoft commits €4 billion to French AI infrastructure and training

Omer Dursun — Mon, 13 May 2024 09:40:02 +0000

France's AI ambitions are getting a boost with Microsoft's €4 billion investment in new data centers, AI training, and support for startups. This commitment aims to position France as a leader in AI. Read more...

Apple acquires Paris-based AI company Datakalab to bolster its AI technology

Sagar Naresh Bhavsar — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:40:02 +0000

Apple has reportedly acquired France-based AI startup Datakalab, specializing in AI and computer vision technology. It is expected to help Apple bolster the AI features it is readying for iOS 18. Read more...

Dutch watchdogs slap Uber with a $10.8 million fine for violating data privacy laws

Anushe Fawaz — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 13:32:01 +0000

The Dutch Data Protection Authority has charged a $10.8 million fine on Uber for infringing data privacy regulations. It suggests that users are unaware of how their data is being used and shared. Read more...

France OKs iPhone 12 software update to address radiation concerns

Paul Hill — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:34:01 +0000

France has approved an iPhone 12 update that addresses radiation level concerns. Apple released the patch for its phone after France decided to ban sales of the device inside the country. Read more...

French authorities reportedly raided Nvidia's offices in an anti-trust enquiry

Mehrotra A — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:26:02 +0000

The French anti-trust authorities had reportedly raided Nvidia's offices in the country this week in relation to an ongoing anti-competition investigation into the cloud computing industry. Read more...

Apple to push software update to address iPhone 12 radiation issue

Paul Hill — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:46:01 +0000

Apple has said it will issue a software update for the iPhone 12 to placate French regulators who have said the device is emitting too much radiation and has banned sales in the country. Read more...

France bans sale of iPhone 12 over high radiation levels, Apple disputes the findings

Anurag Singh — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 10:00:02 +0000

France's National Frequency Agency (ANFR) has notified Apple that it is banning the sale of iPhone 12 models in the country. Apple expressed its disagreement with ANFR's conclusions. Read more...

Meta shuts down Facebook's News tab in major European countries

Omer Dursun — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:42:01 +0000

Meta announced that it will shut down Facebook News in the UK, France and Germany later this year, as News currently makes up less than 3% of the global content users see in their Facebook feeds. Read more...

Arianespace to launch Syracuse 4B satellite for the French military - TWIRL #118

Paul Hill — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 07:58:01 +0000

We have three launches slated to launch next week. SpaceX will perform two Falcon 9 launches while Arianespace will launch an Ariane 5 ECA+ carrying a satellite for French military communications. Read more...

France not only bans TikTok from government devices, but all "recreational applications"

John Callaham — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 15:46:01 +0000

It's not yet clear exactly what apps would be considered "recreational" under this new ban from the French government on all of its mobile devices, but TikTok was mentioned as a specific app. Read more...

Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite now available in the UK, France, Ireland, and Germany

Justin Luna — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:40:01 +0000

Emergency SOS via satellite is now available for iPhone 14 users in the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany. The feature allows people to call for help even if they don't have cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Read more...

Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite is now available in the U.S. and Canada

Paul Hill — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:30:01 +0000

Apple's iPhone 14 line-up can now use Emergency SOS via Satellite in the U.S. and Canada. The company said that it will launch the feature in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK next month. Read more...

France is working on delivery fee for online book orders to help independent book stores

Paul Hill — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:18:01 +0000

The French government is set to impose a minimum €3 delivery fee on online book orders to help independent book stores. It will seek approval from the EU first, then bring in the fee six months after. Read more...

Google Workspace Individual makes its way over to Europe

Paul Hill — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 11:18:01 +0000

Google Workspace Individual plans are available in several European countries. The service costs £7.99 in the UK and €8.99 in France, Germany, and some other countries. There's also a 14-day trial. Read more...

Amazon pushing up Prime prices in Europe by up to 43% due to inflation and operating costs

Paul Hill — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 01:16:01 +0000

Amazon has announced price rises for Prime membership in European countries. Brits will face a 20% rise, Germans will see a 30% rise and the Spanish, Italians, and French will see rises of up to 43%. Read more...

France bans gaming terms like "streamer" to preserve language purity

Usama Jawad — Tue, 31 May 2022 08:06:01 +0000

The French government has issued an order banning anglicized terms like "streamer", "esports", and "cloud gaming" in the country in a bid to preserve language purity and make communication easier. Read more...

Google is changing how cookie choices work in Europe

Usama Jawad — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 17:30:01 +0000

Google is re-engineering its infrastructure for cookie choices across its services in Europe in order to comply with updated regulations. The changes have begun to roll out with YouTube in France. Read more...

Twitter forced to share details about hate speech control after losing case in France

Usama Jawad — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 17:04:01 +0000

Twitter has been ordered to disclose the details and documentation about the manpower that it utilizes to combat hate speech in France after losing a court case against six plaintiffs in the country. Read more...

Facebook and Google fined by France over cookie opt-out breaches

Paul Hill — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 15:40:01 +0000

Facebook and Google have been fined by the French regulator CNIL. It levied the fines because the companies make it too difficult to reject cookies. They now have to make it easier to reject cookies. Read more...

Google protests €500M fine imposed in France over row with news agencies

Usama Jawad — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:32:01 +0000

Google France's chief has filed an appeal against France's €500 million fine that was imposed in July. The executive claims that the penalty is disproportionate and undermines existing efforts. Read more...

European TikTok users can get free Spotify Premium for four months

Paul Hill — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 00:52:01 +0000

TikTok and Spotify have made an agreement that lets TikTok users claim Spotify Premium, for free, for four months. The offer is available in several European markets including the UK and Germany. Read more...

Google fined €500 million in France over lack of agreement with news publishers

Usama Jawad — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:58:01 +0000

Google has been fined a whopping €500 million ($592 million) in France for failing to reach an agreement with news agencies about how they will be compensated for their content being displayed. Read more...

Google to improve ad practices after being slapped with $268 million fine

Usama Jawad — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:40:01 +0000

Google has vowed to improve interoperability with third-party ad platforms after a French antitrust watchdog found it to be biased towards Google's own marketplace and fined it €220 million (~$268m). Read more...

Snap: Gen Z set to drive post-pandemic recovery with tech

Paul Hill — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 15:54:01 +0000

Snap Inc and Oxford Economics have released a new report which says Gen Z will drive the economic recovery thank to their aptitude with technology. It said they'll also adopt AR first. Read more...

Google will pay €1.1 million for misleading users with hotel ratings in France

João Carrasqueira — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 18:32:01 +0000

Google has agreed to pay a €1.1 million fine in France as a result of an investigation into its hotel rating system, which was deemed to be misleading as it didn't follow the country's standards. Read more...