Technology News in English

Petrol and diesel cars increasingly less popular, electric vehicle sales also decline

New petrol and diesel car sales across the European Union saw a significant decline in February compared to the previous year. While electric vehicles are generally gaining popularity, sales in the Ne...

Microsoft executive opposes mandatory Windows account: ‘I hate it’

A high-ranking technical executive at Microsoft has publicly criticized the company's requirement for users to link a Microsoft account to Windows. His comments align with long-standing privacy concer...

Switch 2 sells worse than expected, Nintendo cuts production

Nintendo is reducing Switch 2 production by one-third following disappointing sales figures in the United States. This decrease marks a significant shift from last year, when the company had to increa...

Fraud report filed against home battery sellers: ‘It’s always the same people’

The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has filed a fraud report against home battery sellers who use deceptive tactics to lock consumers into contracts costing up to €20,000. Victims ar...

Justice plays high-stakes game in tackling F-Game

Dutch police have released surveillance photos of 79 suspects linked to scamming tricks and other fraudulent activities to the general public. The images are being displayed on billboards along major ...

Ministry of Finance shuts down computer systems after cyberattack

The Dutch Ministry of Finance discovered a digital intrusion in several of its primary computer systems last week. Access to these systems was blocked on Monday as a security measure, preventing some ...

Farewell, encryption: Meta will soon be able to see your private Instagram messages

Starting in May, Meta will discontinue the option for encrypted private messaging on Instagram. This change means the company will be able to access and monitor users' personal communications on the p...

Unsolicited advice from momfluencers led my colleague to delete Instagram

Journalist Senna Brammer explores the trend of social media fatigue caused by the unsolicited advice of 'momfluencers.' The article highlights a colleague's decision to delete Instagram to escape the ...

With these devious tricks, TikTok and games like Roblox swindle you out of money: ‘People are defenseless’

Research from Wijzer in Geldzaken reveals that over 40% of Dutch teenagers spend significantly more money than intended on video games and apps due to manipulative design tactics. This overspending, o...

Coal plants ramp up during energy crisis, but experts warn the option is disappearing

Coal power plants are being used more frequently to provide cheaper electricity as gas prices rise due to conflict in the Middle East. However, energy experts warn that this reliance on coal is a temp...

Email address hacked, years of records lost: Provider keeps digital mailbox locked tight

After Gijsbrecht's email account was hacked and used to send unauthorized messages, his provider blocked all access to the account. This has left him unable to access years of personal administration ...

Police display identifiable photos of fraud suspects on roadside billboards and social media

Mega MRI scanner to become world's most powerful and detect diseases like dementia much earlier

The world's strongest MRI scanner, featuring a 14 Tesla magnet, is being built in Nijmegen as a joint project between Dutch academic hospitals and universities. This advanced technology aims to detect...

Universities want to cut back on big tech, but switching takes years

Dutch universities are working to decrease their dependency on major American technology companies like Microsoft and Google in favor of European alternatives. While concrete steps are being taken, un...

Defense Ministry to hire over 1,000 for drone units

The Dutch army plans to integrate drone and counter-drone units into all its combat divisions, necessitating the recruitment of 1,000 to 1,200 new personnel. Chief of Defense Onno Eichelsheim announce...

Gen Zer lives like it’s 20 years ago: Without a high-tech smartphone, with a classic Nokia. 'I now realize how nice touchscreens and WhatsApp are'

A Gen-Z reporter spent a week using a classic Nokia phone instead of a smartphone to see if it would reduce internet addiction and improve focus. The experiment highlighted the difficulties of navigat...

The Greenhouse | The battery revolution is coming and cannot start soon enough

Climate reporter Jeroen Kraan discusses the rapid rise of large-scale battery storage systems and their upcoming impact on the energy infrastructure. This shift is expected to significantly transform ...

Over 500 hours of near-total internet shutdown in Iran

Iran has experienced a near-total internet blockade for more than 500 hours, according to internet watchdog Netblocks. The government has severed international connections and restricted domestic serv...

How surgery for dogs is now helping humans: 3D-printed hip socket offers new hope

Surgeons specializing in human and veterinary medicine have collaborated to successfully implant a 3D-printed titanium hip socket in a 36-year-old man. This procedure adapts medical techniques origina...

Screen Time | Men go crazy for likes in Louis Theroux's documentary

Tech reporter Rutger Otto reviews the Netflix documentary "Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere" in his weekly column. The film explores the behavior of men within online communities who seek validati...

Musk misled Twitter shareholders with misleading tweets during takeover

A San Francisco jury ruled that Elon Musk intentionally misled Twitter shareholders with critical tweets during his 2022 takeover of the social media platform. The court found that Musk's actions prio...

Dozens of medicines contain PFAS: 'It has added value, medications work longer'. There are alternatives, but you must actively ask for them

Dozens of medications, including antidepressants like fluoxetine, contain PFAS to improve their effectiveness and longevity, which contributes to environmental pollution. Experts note that while alter...

Bystanders watch fire on Amsterdam's Nieuwe Hemweg spread rapidly: "The whole building is burning down"

A massive fire broke out at a building on the Nieuwe Hemweg in Amsterdam, destroying the structure and a large number of electric shared scooters. Witnesses reported hearing batteries exploding as the...

Fuel app usage explodes: Dutch flock to cheapest gas stations

Usage of fuel price comparison apps has surged in the Netherlands as citizens seek cheaper gas stations following price hikes linked to the Iran conflict. Despite the increased costs, road traffic rem...

New Chinese retail giant Joybuy promises everything, but isn't delivering yet

Chinese retail giant JD.com has launched its Joybuy platform in the Netherlands, offering a wide range of products from groceries to electronics. Despite the launch, retail experts remain skeptical ab...

Ministry experiments with European alternative to WhatsApp

State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts has launched a small-scale experiment within the Dutch government to test a European alternative to messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal. The initiative aims to...

Manufacturers required to repair phones, washing machines and TVs

The Dutch cabinet has approved a legislative proposal requiring manufacturers to repair electronic devices, such as smartphones and washing machines, even after the warranty has expired. This initiati...

Gelderland working towards opening small nuclear power plant around 2035

The Dutch province of Gelderland aims to open a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) by approximately 2035. Following feasibility studies on suitable locations within the province, officials plan to de...

Large plume of smoke from burning scooters in Amsterdam-Westpoort

A large fire involving multiple scooters broke out on Tuesday afternoon at a business on the Nieuwe Hemweg in Amsterdam-Westpoort. The resulting smoke cloud was visible from a distance, prompting the ...

New energy-efficient NS double-deckers unveiled during royal visit

Queen Máxima visited the NS Train Modernization facility in Haarlem on Thursday to observe the presentation of new energy-saving double-decker trains. The visit highlighted the company's commitment t...