France's Assembly Votes a 5.5-Cent Per-Gigabyte Tax on Big Tech

France's National Assembly on Friday 30 October narrowly adopted a tax of €0.055 per gigabyte of data delivered to internet users in France, targeting the largest web platforms. The amendment to the 2027 finance bill passed by 11 votes to 10, despite opposition from the government and the bill's general rapporteur.

How the tax would work

Called a "tax on digital data producers", the measure was pushed by Socialist MP Laurent Lhardit. Internet providers such as Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free would have to count the gigabytes delivered to their subscribers, and each sender would pay 5.5 cents per gigabyte. Its backers say it does not threaten privacy, since only the volume of data is measured, and that it would encourage companies to compress their streams. To avoid crippling firms, the levy is capped at 15% of French revenue or 2% of worldwide revenue.

The authors expect about €10 billion a year, based on regulator Arcep's estimate of 200 billion gigabytes of annual traffic to French subscribers. Budget minister David Amiel is more cautious and expects roughly €5 billion, arguing that half the bill would hit smaller, sometimes French, companies. According to Arcep, half of all traffic comes from five players: Google, Meta, Amazon, Netflix and Akamai.

Who could end up paying

A 200 GB game download would carry about €11 in tax; GTA 6, reportedly around 210 GB, would cost its sender roughly €11.55. An hour of Netflix in 4K, up to 7 GB, would mean nearly 40 cents. Music streaming would be barely affected.

Platforms have little reason to absorb the cost. After France's 3% digital services tax in 2019, Amazon, Google, Apple and Meta passed the charge on to sellers, advertisers and developers. Subscription services such as Netflix could raise prices in France or accept thinner margins.

Nothing is settled. The amendment was rejected in committee on 9 October, must still survive the vote on the first part of the budget in the Assembly, and the Senate can remove it during the parliamentary process.