GoKawiilFrance's National Assembly approves data-traffic tax targeting Google, Netflix, Meta
French lawmakers voted 11-10 on October 30 to add a per-gigabyte internet traffic tax to the country's upcoming budget. The measure, proposed by socialist lawmaker Laurent Lhardit, would charge €0.055 per gigabyte delivered to France's roughly 154 million internet users, targeting companies like Google, Meta, Netflix, Amazon and Akamai rather than their ad revenue or profits. ISPs such as Orange and Liad would measure data volumes and report quarterly to tax authorities under regulator Arcep's oversight.
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The proposal's backers estimate it could raise about €10 billion annually, suggesting France sees heavy data usage by big tech firms as an untapped revenue source distinct from existing digital taxes on profits or ads. Because it still needs to survive further budget votes in early November, the measure's fate remains uncertain, and its broad wording could sweep in other high-traffic platforms like TikTok depending on implementation. The approach, if enacted, could set a precedent other governments might consider for taxing infrastructure-heavy internet usage rather than corporate earnings.
- French lawmakers narrowly approved a €0.055-per-gigabyte internet traffic tax by an 11-10 vote on October 30.
- The tax targets major bandwidth users including Google, Meta, Netflix, Amazon and Akamai, potentially generating €10 billion a year.
- The measure must still pass further budget votes in early November before becoming law, with ISPs tasked with tracking data volumes for tax authorities.
Source: tech.slashdot.org — Posted, 2026-10-31
Published there as: “French Lawmakers Back Per-Gigabyte Internet Traffic Tax”
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