In 2011, a small group of young Gazans sat around laptops in a cramped co-working space, learning to write JavaScript. Their internet connection was limited. Their bandwidth was thin. But their ambition was enormous. They were the first cohort of Gaza Sky Geeks — Palestine’s very first coding academy — and they were determined to build something from nothing.
More than a decade later, Palestinian technologists are launching startups, working as freelancers for international clients, winning contracts in cloud computing and cybersecurity, and contributing to a national AI strategy. The digital revolution has not passed Palestine by; Palestinians are actively shaping it, often under extraordinary circumstances.
To talk about this world — and to use English confidently in any tech context — you need the right vocabulary. This guide covers the most important B2 technology and internet vocabulary, rooted in Palestine’s real digital story.
The vocabulary: organised by theme
The internet and connectivity
To look at websites casually, moving from one to another. “She was browsing tech blogs when she found the article.”
The maximum volume of data a connection can carry at once. More bandwidth = faster speeds. “Video calls need a lot of bandwidth.”
A fast, high-capacity internet connection (as opposed to slow dial-up). “Fibre-optic broadband is now available in the area.”
The quality or state of being connected to a network. “Poor connectivity makes remote work very difficult.”
To watch or listen to media in real time, without downloading it first. “She streams lectures from her laptop.”
Upload: send data from your device to the internet. Download: receive data from the internet to your device.
Devices, software and data
Short for “application” — a software programme, especially one used on a smartphone or tablet.
To install the newest version of software. “You need to update the app before it will work properly.”
To make a copy of data so it is not lost if something goes wrong. “Always back up your files to the cloud.”
To permanently remove data or a file. “I accidentally deleted the whole folder.”
Storing and accessing data and programmes over the internet, rather than on your local device.
When content spreads rapidly and widely across the internet. “Her video about coding in Gaza went viral overnight.”
Security and privacy
The process of encoding data so that only authorised users can read it. “End-to-end encryption keeps your messages secure.”
The practice of protecting computers, networks, and data from attacks and unauthorised access.
The right of individuals to control how their personal information is collected and used.
To gain unauthorised access to a system. A hacker may be malicious — or a skilled, ethical programmer.
The digital economy
A set of rules a computer follows to complete a task. “Social media algorithms decide what content you see.”
Technology that enables machines to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence.
A newly established company — often innovative and technology-focused.
A digital service where users interact, share content, or do business (e.g. Instagram, Etsy, Amazon).
Working from outside the traditional office — from home, a café, or anywhere with a good connection.
A self-employed person who works on individual projects for different clients — often online.
The process by which organisations adopt digital technology across all areas of their work.
Palestine’s digital landscape
Technology is one of the brightest chapters in contemporary Palestinian life — and the numbers tell a remarkable story.
Gaza Sky Geeks, founded by Mercy Corps in 2011, is Palestine’s first and only coding academy and startup accelerator. Since its launch, it has trained more than 60,000 people in digital freelancing, with nearly 50% of Code Academy participants being women. More than 65% of graduates have gone on to find employment in the tech sector. The Code Academy runs an intensive 16-week full-stack bootcamp, teaching JavaScript, Node.js, databases, and UX design.
These skills matter enormously. As of 2022, the Palestinian tech sector contributed 3.1% to GDP — equivalent to $482 million — and employed around 9,558 professionals across approximately 450 companies. Crucially, 23% of startups in Gaza and the West Bank are led by women, a figure higher than Beirut (19%) or even New York (12%).
Connectivity is improving, too. Subscriptions to fibre-optic broadband across Palestine reached around 327,000 households in 2025 — a 27% increase in a single year. Meanwhile, smartphone ownership in the West Bank reached approximately 86% in early 2026.
Palestine has also launched a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy — a government-led plan to automate public services, build an AI legal framework, and position the West Bank as a regional hub for AI talent and education. A broader National Digital Strategy 2025–2030 aims to transform local government units into fully digital e-municipalities.
These developments show that even in difficult circumstances, Palestinian communities continue to innovate, connect, and build. The digital transformation underway is not just economic — it is cultural and aspirational. Every line of code written in Gaza is an act of resilience.
If you want to explore more technology vocabulary at a more advanced level, our C1 guide to technology and internet vocabulary takes these concepts further with nuanced collocations and register awareness.
⚠️ Common mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish L1 learners often carry direct translations across to English. Here are the ones that come up most in tech conversations:
❌ “I searched it in the internet.”
✅ “I searched for it on the internet.”
Spanish speakers say en internet, but English uses on: on the internet, on social media, on a platform.
❌ “You need to actualize the software.”
✅ “You need to update the software.”
Actualizar looks like “to actualize”, but the correct English word is to update. “Actualize” means “to make real or actual” — a very different thing.
❌ “Let me navigate the internet to find it.”
✅ “Let me browse the internet to find it.”
While navegar works in Spanish, English uses browse for casual internet use. “Navigate” sounds too formal or too literal.
❌ “She posted it on the social net.”
✅ “She posted it on social media / on social networks.”
Red social = “social network” (plural: social networks) or the collective term social media. “Social net” is not standard English.
❌ “I need to erase this file from my computer.”
✅ “I need to delete this file from my computer.”
Borrar often gets translated as “erase”, but in digital contexts the standard verb is delete. You erase a whiteboard; you delete a file.
Example bank
- She was browsing tech forums late at night when she found the answer she needed.
- Gaza Sky Geeks provides the bandwidth — both literal and metaphorical — for young coders to grow.
- Thanks to new fibre-optic lines, broadband access in the West Bank has grown significantly.
- Poor connectivity makes it harder for Palestinian freelancers to compete on global platforms.
- The team streamed their startup pitch live to investors in three different countries.
- He uploaded his portfolio to the freelancing platform and received his first client within a week.
- Always back up your code to a cloud repository before making major changes.
- Make sure you delete any sensitive files before selling your old laptop.
- The company uses end-to-end encryption to protect all user communications.
- Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand skills in the Palestinian tech sector.
- The new algorithm recommends content based on your viewing history.
- Palestine’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy aims to automate many government services.
- Over 200 tech startups in the West Bank receive support from innovation hubs and accelerators.
- She manages everything through one platform — scheduling, invoicing, and client communication.
- Many graduates of Gaza Sky Geeks now do remote work for companies in Europe and North America.
- Working as a freelancer gave him the flexibility to support his family from home.
- The municipality has begun its digital transformation, moving all services online.
- Her short film about Palestinian coders went viral, reaching three million views in two days.
- Data privacy laws are still developing in many countries, including across the Middle East.
- The team stored all their project files using cloud computing, so they could access them from anywhere.
🧠 Quick practice quiz
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Which verb means to look at websites casually, moving between pages without a fixed plan?
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A Spanish-speaking colleague says: “I need to actualize the app.” What is the correct way to say this in English?
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What does encryption mean?
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Fill in the blank: “She works independently for several different companies online. She is a ___.”
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Which of the following is the correct English phrase?
▶ Show answer key
- b) to browse — “to browse” is the standard verb for casual, exploratory internet use.
- b) I need to update the app. — “actualizar” → “to update”, not “to actualize” (a false cognate).
- c) Encoding data so only authorised users can read it. — Encryption protects information in transit and at rest.
- c) freelancer — A freelancer works independently on projects for multiple clients, often online.
- b) I found it on the internet. — English uses “on” with the internet, social media, and digital platforms.