EDRi-gram, 20 November 2024
For the last two weeks, we’ve been tuning in to the European Commissioner-designates’ hearings in the European Parliament to hear how would-be EU decision-makers in the Commission envision the role of technology in our future. Some hearings were riveting, while others deeply worrying. It was encouraging to hear that the enforcement of existing digital laws like the GDPR and DSA was high on some Commissioner-designates’ priorities. However, there were also many disturbing mentions of tech hype buzzwords, and no strong commitments to tackle surveillance or protect our right to safe and confidential communications online through encryption. This month, our neighbours across the Atlantic have been reeling from the results of their Presidential election. However, we’re worried about more than just that when it comes to the US. A decade after Snowden’s revelations, and despite continuing privacy concerns, surveillance and mass data collection continue under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. And the EU appears to be willing to compromise our rights for geopolitical and economic gains.
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Building technology by, for, and of the people: A vision for our digital future
Together, we can protect human rights, strengthen democracy, and reshape societal systems. Read about our commitment to prioritising building technology by, for, and of the people, as part...
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German petition calls for a fundamental right to ‘a life without digital coercion’
EDRi member Digitalcourage is calling for an amendment to the German constitution to establish a right to access basic services without being forced to use a digital solution....
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Non-fitted devices in the UK Home Office’s surveillance arsenal: Investigating the technology behind GPS fingerprint scanners
Privacy International’s technical research on the so-called non-fitted devices (NFDs) used by the UK Home Office to track migrants shows that these devices are intrusive and stigmatising by...
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Promises unkept: The EU-US Data Privacy Framework under fire
A decade after Snowden’s revelations — and despite the public outrage they sparked — surveillance and mass data collection continue under the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), despite...
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German federal health minister, Shein and Deutsche Bahn ‘awarded’ for worst privacy and data protection offences
In October 2024, EDRi member Digitalcourage held the annual gala for the German BigBrother Awards. The unfortunate “winners” included a minister in the federal government, the police and...
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A new registry empowers the Slovenian public to monitor the use of AI systems by public institutions
EDRi affiliate Danes je nov dan recently launched their Public Sector AI Registry. The platform provides insight into the use of AI systems by Slovenia’s public institutions and...
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Here’s how to remove your personal data from websites in Sweden
EDRi member, The Digital Freedom and Rights Association (DFRI)
Many of the sites that publish personal data have a so-called ‘certificate of publication’, which means that they are covered by exemptions from the GDPR’s provision on the right to erasure. For this reason, the GDPR cannot be fully applied. However, it is generally possible to remove or hide your data from public disclosure. Find out how.
Taking action against biometric surveillance: Civil society tactics and strategies
EDRi member, European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL)
In this report, EDRi member ECNL detail a multifaceted approach to pushing back against biometric surveillance, highlighting key tactics to achieve this through policy advocacy, evidence collection, strategic litigation and more serving as an initial blueprint for civil society worldwide to act against biometric surveillance in their communities. Read the full report.
BIG TECH MUST GO
Digital monopolies shape ever larger parts of our lives. The platforms are increasingly controlling the public formation of political opinion and at the same time abolishing our free market economy. Digital expert Martin Andree shows in detail how far the hostile takeover of our society by the tech giants has already progressed – and how we could reclaim the Internet. Watch the video.
Data and Disability: Rights in a Digitised world
EDRi member Privacy International
In this episode of the Technology Pill podcast, take a deep dive into the issues around the rights and privacy of the global disability community in the digital age. Guests include Rosemary Kayess – Vice Chair of the UN Committee on the Convention of the Rights for Persons with Disabilities, and the Disability Discrimination commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Marc Workman – CEO of the World Blind Union (WBU), and Heba Hagrass – UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities. Listen to the episode.
Join us in shaping our digital spaces for people, democracy and the planet.
EDRi has launched its manifesto for digital futures for people, democracy and the planet. In the 2024 European elections and beyond, we'll tackle challenges like climate change and tech monopolies, standing up for justice, equity, and sustainability. But we can't do this alone. With your support, our bold visions are within reach!
Get involved!EVENTS
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38th Chaos Communication Congress
The Chaos Computer Club is looking forward, once again, to provide a huge playground where you can engage in hacking, soldering, tinkering, educating, learning, partying and networking, developing...
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RigthsCon25
Each edition of RightsCon convenes business leaders, policy makers, general counsels, government representatives, technologists, academics, journalists, and human rights advocates from around the world to tackle pressing issues...
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Cambridge Disinformation Summit 2025
The 2025 Cambridge Disinformation Summit is designed to convene global thought leaders to discuss research regarding the efficacy of potential interventions to mitigate the harms from disinformation.
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Save the date: The European Investigative Journalism Conference
Dataharvest – The European Investigative Journalism Conference is a meeting point where networks are established and nurtured, data and documents shared, cross-border projects conceived and teams established. The...
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Digital Methods Winter School 2025
The Digital Methods Initiative (DMI), Amsterdam, is holding its annual Winter School on 'Chatbots for Internet Research?'. The format is that of a (social media and web) data...
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Global Voice Summit 2024
An international gathering on digital media, knowledge and activism from a Global Majority perspective. Join the summit at the Hotel Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu, Nepal on December...
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The International AI Summit 2024
This conference comes at an opportune time, following the recent UN Summit for the Future, the union of GPAI with AIGO, and amidst the ongoing Hiroshima Process. It...
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EMIF Winter Event 2024 – Disinformation: Systemic Challenges, Structural Solutions
This event will bring together leading experts and practitioners from across the European information ecosystem to discuss structural solutions to counter disinformation at various societal levels. The conference...
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EU DisinfoLab Webinar – Building FIMI resilience through models of practice: Taiwan’s 2024 elections
The ultimate aim is to reach beyond the information integrity community and provide strategic fuel for decision-makers to envision goals for whole-society resilience. This webinar will discuss the...
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Glitter Meetup: What is happening in digital rights around the world?
Come to share emerging and existing digital rights conversations happening around the world and in your region at this Glitter Meetup! There is something new, specific or special...
JOBS
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Center for countering Digital Hate is hiring for a Director of Advertising Industry Advocacy
The Center for Countering Digital Hate is a growing organization with offices in Washington DC and London. What makes us different is that we use cutting-edge research to...
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Liberties is hiring for various positions
The Civil Liberties Union for Europe is a Berlin-based watchdog that safeguards the human rights of everyone in the European Union. Liberties works on multiple human rights issues,...
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Stichting NLnet is hiring for a junior or senior technology assessor
Stichting NLnet is a recognised philanthropic non-profit foundation. NLnet supports independent organizations and people that contribute to an open information society. We provide microgrants, advice and access to...
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7amleh is hiring for a Europe Admin & Finance Officer
7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media is a non-profit organization that advocates for Palestinian digital rights. 7amleh’s mission is to create a safe,...
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Frontline Defenders is hiring for a Media and Publications Officer
Front Line Defenders (FLD) is an international human rights organisation founded in Dublin in 2001, with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk (HRDs).
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Access Now is hiring for a Platform Engagement Coordinator
Access Now is a growing international human rights organisation dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world, including issues of privacy,...
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NewsGuard is hiring for a Staff Reporter, Media and Misinformation
NewsGuard the Global Leader in Information Reliability combines human expertise and technology to provide data, analysis and journalism that helps enterprises and consumers identify reliable information online.
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Open Future is hiring for a Project and Research Coordinator
Stichting Open Future is a European think-tank established in January 2021. It works to strengthen the advocacy capacity of the open movement in Europe.
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The CyberPeace Institute is hiring for various positions
The CyberPeace Institute protects the most vulnerable in cyberspace. Deliver cybersecurity assistance and hold all actors accountable for ensuring peace in cyberspace by exposing the human harm caused...
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The Global Internet Forum is hiring for various positions
The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) envisions a world in which the technology sector marshals its collective creativity and capacity to render terrorists and violent extremists...