search
Public Digital
Trends
- 1Dutch government builds Microsoft alternative on NixOS●Dutch governments builds alternative for Microsoft based on NixOS
The Dutch government is developing an alternative to Microsoft-based infrastructure built on NixOS, the reproducible Linux operating system. The project, presented via the DAWO community platform, reflects a growing push among European public administrations to reduce dependence on US software vendors and gain control over their digital systems. Observers see it as part of wider European efforts toward digital sovereignty, though details about scale, timeline, and which government bodies will adopt the system remain unclear.
- 2Protesters in Warsaw rally against EU chat control law●Protest Against European Parliament Chat Control 1.0 Legislation in Warsaw
Demonstrators gathered in Warsaw on 26 September 2026 to protest the European Parliament's so-called Chat Control 1.0 legislation, which critics say would force messaging platforms to scan private communications. The protest reflects wider European opposition to the proposal, with civil liberties groups arguing it threatens privacy and encryption.
- 38 in 10 young people say smartphones harm their daily lives●8 in 10 people aged 16-34 say smartphone use harms their everyday life
A new survey reported in the Netherlands finds that 8 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 say smartphone use harms their everyday life. The figure highlights growing concern among young adults about the impact of their own phone habits on wellbeing, focus and daily routines, adding to wider public debate about screen time and digital balance.
- 4Pope's communications day theme targets 'attention economy' pitfalls▼Pope’s communications day theme targets pitfalls of the ‘attention economy’
The Vatican has announced the theme for the next World Day of Social Communications, focusing on the pitfalls of the 'attention economy' — the business model in which tech platforms compete to capture and monetise human attention. The choice signals Pope Francis's ongoing concern with how digital media shapes public discourse, empathy and truth, continuing his criticism of manipulative online practices.
- 5AI-generated Greta Garbo resurrected for ball-bearing advert▼Reanimated AI Greta Garbo stars again … in a ball-bearing advert https://www. theguardian.com/film/2026/sep/ 30/ai-greta
A reanimated, AI-generated version of screen legend Greta Garbo, the Swedish star of the silent era who famously withdrew from public life, has been brought back to appear in a commercial for ball bearings. The Guardian reports on the unusual use of her likeness decades after her death, prompting debate over digital resurrections of classic film stars and the ethics of using dead celebrities' images in advertising.
- 6Orange Business wins EU backbone network contract for data exchange●Orange Business to provide European Union's backbone network for trusted data exchange
Orange Business has been selected to provide the European Union's backbone network for trusted data exchange. The deal makes the French telecom operator responsible for the infrastructure underpinning secure data flows between EU institutions and member states. It marks a significant win for Orange in European public-sector digital infrastructure and aligns with EU efforts to build sovereign, trusted data-sharing capabilities.
- 7Coalition warns GSA that federal websites are 'in jeopardy'●Websites ‘in jeopardy’ amid U.S. Web Design System takeover, coalition tells GSA
A coalition has told the General Services Administration that federal websites are 'in jeopardy' following a takeover of the U.S. Web Design System, the government's framework for building consistent public-facing sites. According to FedScoop, the group warns that changes to how the system is managed could put the reliability and accessibility of government websites at risk. The letter raises concerns about the future of standards used across federal digital services.
- 8Fabrice Bellard: The Genius Behind the Internet's Hidden Infrastructure●Fabrice Bellard: The Genius Behind the Internet’s Hidden Infrastructure
French programmer Fabrice Bellard is being profiled as the quiet force behind key pieces of computing infrastructure. He created FFmpeg, QEMU, and the QuickJS engine, and in 2022 compressed a Linux system to boot on a browser via his TinyEMU work; he also famously computed pi to record digits with pi Compute. The profile argues his free software underpins much of the modern internet, yet he remains largely unknown to the public.
- 9NASCIO Honors Executives Advancing State Technology●NASCIO Honors Executives Advancing State Technologies
NASCIO, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, has presented awards to executives recognized for advancing technology in state government. The honors highlight public-sector IT leaders driving modernization efforts across US states, from digital services to cybersecurity. The association announced the recognitions in the latest edition of GovTech coverage on state technology leadership.
- 10
The Jackson-Madison County Library in Tennessee has received a $19,762 grant to support its technology services. The funding is expected to help the library upgrade or expand the digital resources and equipment it offers to local residents. It is a piece of good news for a public institution that serves the Jackson, Tennessee community.
- 11Crypto Critics Slam Blockchain 'Intrinsic Value' Claims●# Crypto suckers actually believe all the # blockchain lies about "intrinsic value" and "fiat money" and everything, but
A blunt critique of cryptocurrency is circulating, arguing that crypto investors have been misled by claims about blockchain's "intrinsic value" and critiques of "fiat money". The post particularly mocks the belief that blockchain systems are genuinely equivalent to "mining". It reflects ongoing scepticism about cryptocurrency's fundamental promises, as debate continues between crypto advocates and critics over whether digital assets hold real value.
- 12Google partners to launch new America.gov platform●Google is a technology partner for the launch of America.gov.
Google has announced it is serving as a technology partner for the launch of America.gov, a relaunched official US government website. The company says it will provide the technical infrastructure supporting the site's public-facing services. The announcement was made on Google's own blog, framing the project as an example of its collaboration with the US government on digital public services.