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Tech news in Belgium: IT magazines and digital sections
In Belgium, IT news comes from specialist titles such as Data News and ITdaily, from the tech sections of Le Soir and De Tijd, and from Dutch-language sites like Tweakers, in both French and Dutch and often free online.
From 1980s computer magazines to specialist websites
The Belgian IT press grew up alongside the microcomputer boom of the 1980s, first as professional monthlies and weeklies. Data News, published by the Roularta group, became the reference title for IT decision-makers before moving largely to the web and to newsletters.
Data News and ITdaily, the titles for professionals
Data News targets IT managers, integrators and start-ups, with editions in Dutch and French. ITdaily, also bilingual, favours short news items on cloud computing, enterprise software and security, written in a practical, informative tone aimed at businesses and their technical teams.
Dutch or French: two separate tech ecosystems
Flemish readers readily turn to Tweakers or Techzine, Dutch sites with a large following in Ghent and Antwerp, while French speakers add media from France. To place these titles in their language landscape, see the Flemish press online.
Geeko, the tech section of Le Soir
Le Soir publishes Geeko, a section devoted to smartphones, video games, social networks and everyday digital habits of the general public. La Libre, L'Avenir and the Sudinfo dailies also run high-tech pages, more focused on device reviews and practical advice.
When the business press covers digital
De Tijd and L'Echo closely follow Proximus, Telenet, Orange Belgium and the funding rounds of young companies such as the Belgian unicorns. Their telecoms market coverage complements the Belgian business press, useful for investors and executives in the sector.
Cybersecurity: which official sources to trust?
The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium, attached to the Prime Minister, issues warnings and runs the Safeonweb campaign for the general public. Specialist journalists frequently relay its alerts on phishing, ransomware and security flaws affecting Belgian hospitals or municipalities.
Regulating telecoms and 5G
BIPT, the federal regulator for postal services and telecommunications, awarded the 5G frequencies in 2022 after years of political deadlock. Its decisions on pricing, mobile coverage and fibre optics receive extensive commentary from Data News, De Tijd and the VRT.
Public radio and television in the digital age
RTBF and VRT run regular segments on technology, artificial intelligence and data protection. Their Auvio and VRT MAX platforms let you replay these programmes online, usually after creating a free account, which makes them easy to follow from abroad as well.
Agoria, Belga and industry press releases
The Belga agency distributes wire stories on major technology announcements, picked up by every daily. The Agoria federation, representing the technology industry, publishes studies and position papers; read them as the voice of a business lobby rather than as a neutral source.
Product reviews and video games
Reviews of smartphones, laptops and consoles take up a large share of Belgian tech sections. To compare prices and durability, readers often cross-check these articles with the analysis and independent tests of the Belgian consumer press.
Brussels, capital of European digital rules
The European Commission headquarters in Brussels gives Belgian media direct access to debates on the Digital Services Act, the EU AI Act and the GDPR. English-language correspondents round out this coverage for readers living outside Belgium.
Subscriptions, newsletters and checking announcements
Data News and ITdaily remain largely free and funded by advertising, whereas De Tijd and L'Echo keep their analysis for subscribers. Before sharing a product launch or a reported hack, check it with the company concerned or with the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium.
Following Belgian tech news from abroad
- Sign up for the Data News or ITdaily newsletter in your preferred language to receive the main industry announcements every morning.
- Add the Geeko section of Le Soir or the De Tijd tech page to your feed reader to track consumer trends and markets.
- Check Safeonweb notices regularly to learn about phishing campaigns targeting Belgian users.
- Catch up on the digital segments of RTBF or VRT on Auvio and VRT MAX.
- Compare a Belgian product review with one from a Dutch or French site before any major purchase.
- Check the publication date of articles on 5G or fibre, since BIPT rules change often.
Access to Belgian tech media
| Source | Access | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Data News, ITdaily | Free, ad-funded | Topic newsletters on sign-up |
| Geeko (Le Soir) | Partly free | Some articles reserved for Le Soir subscribers |
| De Tijd, L'Echo | Paid subscription, indicative price varies | In-depth analysis of telecoms and start-ups |
| Auvio, VRT MAX | Free with account | Some content geo-blocked outside Belgium |
| Safeonweb (CCB) | Free | Official cybersecurity warnings |
Key facts for reading the Belgian IT press
- Languages: Dutch and French, with technical vocabulary often in English
- Specialist titles: Data News (Roularta) and ITdaily
- Consumer section: Geeko, published by Le Soir
- Telecoms regulator: BIPT, known as IBPT in French
- Cybersecurity: Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium and its Safeonweb campaign
- Industry federation: Agoria
- Time zone: Central European Time (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
- Subscription currency: the euro
Common traps in high-tech news
- Mistaking content sponsored by a manufacturer or operator for an independent review, when the partner label sometimes appears only in small print.
- Sharing a viral fake alert from WhatsApp or Facebook without checking it against Safeonweb or an established news outlet.
- Confusing prices and terms that apply in the Netherlands, read on a Dutch site, with those of the Belgian market.
- Quoting an old article on 5G coverage or fibre rollout as if it described the current situation.
- Assuming that a study published by an industry federation offers the same detachment as a piece of investigative journalism.
Your questions about IT journalism in Belgium
Is Data News available in French?
Yes, Data News, published by Roularta, produces content in both Dutch and French. The two versions share some stories, but certain interviews and analyses appear in only one language, depending on the interviewee and the target audience.
Where can I find reliable alerts about online scams in Belgium?
The Safeonweb site, run by the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium, publishes the fraudulent messages currently circulating, such as fake delivery or bank text messages. The major dailies then relay these alerts, but the official source remains the fastest.
Which outlet best covers Belgian tech start-ups?
De Tijd and L'Echo cover funding rounds and acquisitions, while Data News follows software and IT services companies. The business pages of the VRT and RTBF also summarise the most important announcements for a wider audience.
Do Dutch sites such as Tweakers cover Belgium?
Tweakers is published in the Netherlands but has many Flemish readers, and its price comparison tools include Belgian shops. For regulation, operators and Belgian prices, however, it is better to add a media outlet based in Belgium.