EDRi-gram, 2 May 2024
Last week, the European Parliament was doing everything everywhere all at once in the run up to the final plenary before the June EU elections. Let’s run through some of the highlights. In a disappointing move that will endanger medical secrecy, the European Parliament passed the European Health Data Space (EHDS). This law will expose everyone’s medical records to unnecessary security and privacy risks in the name of research and “innovation”. The Parliament also took its final step on the much touted Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act last week. With the final version of the law full of loopholes and missed opportunties, we’re left to contend with how to keep advocating for the protection of peope’s rights and fight against biometric mass surveillance. We also directed our attention towards the European Commission’s concerning decision to allow unrestricted data flows to Israel. Together with Access Now and 11 other civil society groups, we wrote to the Commission to ask for clarity on this decision.
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Open letter: European Commission’s decision to allow data flows to Israel alarms privacy experts
Today, 22 April, EDRi and Access Now coordinated an open letter supported by 11 civil society organisations that calls on the European Commissioner for Justice to provide further evidence...
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Open letter: Modernised ePrivacy legislation must protect fundamental rights
Today, 24 April, EDRi and 13 organisations call for robust legislation to complement and particularise the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and call upon the next European Commission to...
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The future of our fight against biometric mass surveillance
The final AI Act is disappointingly full of holes when it comes to bans on different forms of biometric mass surveillance (BMS). Despite this, there are some silver...
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Open letter: Mass surveillance and undermining encryption still on table in EU Council
Today, 17 April, EDRi, in a coalition with 50 civil society organisations and 26 individual experts, call on Member State representatives not to agree to the proposed EU...
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Tech platforms must drop addictive features that harm young people
Social media companies construct their platforms in ways that make them addictive. Algorithms show individuals things that they think will keep them hooked for longer.
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Locating climate justice in digital rights work at the EU level
A new study commissioned by EDRi acknowledges the complexities and environmental impacts of technological solutions, emphasising the need to bridge climate justice and digital rights. This is particularly...
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All Couriers and private hire drivers! Have you been dismissed after a failedfacial recognition check?
Some private hire operators and courier companies are carrying out real-time identity checks using facial recognition software. This software is highly flawed and drivers are being unfairly suspended and dismissed after false failures on these checks. If you have been dismissed after falsely failing a facial recognition check then you may be able to start legal action. Fill the form (UK based)!
The value of privacy and data protection for sex workers
EDRi member, ESWA
Sex workers are especially vulnerable to increased data collection by various public and private bodies such as health and social services, online platforms and governments. In the face of this intensified data collection, sex workers’ privacy is being eroded, and the safety barriers and strategies they have developed are failing. Read more.
Disposable Workers in the Platform Economy
London School of Economics Research
“The ideal platform worker doesn’t have any needs,” says researcher Dalia Gebrial in this video which explains the Platform Economy, specifically work-on-demand via apps which includes platforms like Uber and Deliveroo. These platforms have radically changed the economic landscape, but how has platform technology impacted workers and how can we ensure they are protected? Watch the video to find out.
Between privacy and border control: Tech in the Migration Pact
On 10 April, the European Parliament voted to pass the expansion of EURODAC, a database to facilitate the registration & deportation of asylum seekers in the EU. These changes will transform EURODAC into a violent tool of mass surveillance and will mean that children as young as six years old will be subjected to these provisions. Listen to Caterina Rodelli from Access Now, part of the #ProtectNotSurveil coalition, explain why the EURODAC reform is terrible news for human rights. Also on the podcast is the rapporteur of the file, MEP Jorge Buxade Villalba. Listen to the podcast.
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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JOBS
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Access Now is hiring for a Security Officer
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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Article 19 is hiring for a IT Tech Support Team Lead
ARTICLE 19 works for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination.
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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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Mnemonic is hiring for a Service Provision for Travel Management Services
Mnemonic works globally to help human rights defenders effectively use digital documentation of human rights violations and international crimes to support advocacy, justice and accountability.
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Mozilla is hiring for various positions
Mozilla Foundation is committed to an internet that promotes civil discourse, human dignity, and individual expression. To an internet that catalyzes collaboration among diverse communities working together for...
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noyb is hiring for a Legal Trainee
Noyb pursues strategic and effective enforcement by thoroughly analyzing and prioritizing privacy violations, identifying the legal weak spots of these cases and litigating them with the best possible...
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Sovereign Tech Fund is hiring for a Communications Manager
The Sovereign Tech Fund's mission is to promote security, innovation and competitiveness and to create a stable digital foundation for participation and democracy.
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Wikimedia Foundation is hiring for a Communications Manager
The Wikimedia Foundation is the nonprofit that hosts Wikipedia and their other free knowledge projects. Wikimedia Foundation wants to make it easier for everyone to share what they...