EDRi-gram, 23 March 2022
In this edition of the EDRi-gram, we look at the leaked opinion of the Commission which sets off alarm bells for mass surveillance of private communications. The newly-revealed opinion confirms the fears that EDRi and 39 other civil society groups recently raised about the proposal which could destroy the integrity of private online communications across the EU, and set a dangerous precedent for the world. We are also urging for real solutions to the flaws of the law guarding our data protection and privacy. Though a new record of high fines based on the GDPR was issued in 2021, people still face barriers to exercising rights like access to remedy and benefiting from a harmonised enforcement mechanism.
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The European Commission might put a stop to end-to-end encryption
The European Commission is working on a bill that requires platforms to monitor all your chats. This would undermine the essence of end-to-end encryption. What's up with that?
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Leaked opinion of the Commission sets off alarm bells for mass surveillance of private communications
A newly-revealed Opinion of a European Commission review board about their own colleagues’ upcoming proposal for a ‘Legislation to effectively tackle child sexual abuse’ shows strong concerns with...
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Not everything is allowed in politics: Upcoming political advertising legislation must introduce limits
In November 2021, the European Commission launched a proposal for a regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising. The document will place harmonised rules for more transparency of...
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Electronic monitoring using GPS tags: a tech primer
Electronic tags have been a key part of criminal justice for many years throughout the world. As traditional radio-frequency tags are replaced by GPS ankle tags, we examine...
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Open letter: Protecting digital rights and freedoms in the Legislation to effectively tackle child abuse
EDRi is one of 52 civil society organisations jointly raising our voices to the European Commission to demand that the proposed EU Regulation on child sexual abuse complies...
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Civil society call and recommendations for concrete solutions to GDPR enforcement shortcomings
EDRi members call on the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), the European Commission, and all national data protection authorities (DPAs) to urgently address the structural and procedural enforcement...
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Private communications are a cornerstone of democratic society and must be protected in online CSAM legislation
On 17 March 2022, EDRi and 34 other civil society organisations jointly raised our voices to the European Commission to demand that the forthcoming EU ‘Legislation to effectively...
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Promoting human rights in the digital era
Digital technologies are part of everyday life, but we don’t know much about how they impact our rights. A Czech-Norwegian project aims to change this.
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Italian DPA fines Clearview AI for illegally monitoring and processing biometric data of Italian citizens
On 9 March 2022, the Italian Data Protection Authority fined the US-based facial recognition company Clearview AI EUR 20 million after finding that the company monitored and processed...
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Propaganda cannot be silenced with censorship, freedom of expression can
By order of all governments in the European Union, internet providers and platforms are blocking access to Russian state media. However, European governments would do better to stimulate...
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EU AI Act needs clear safeguards for AI systems for military and national security purposes
EDRi affiliate ECNL presents the second set of their proposals on exemptions and exclusions of AI used for military and national security purposes from the AIA, also endorsed...
Recommended
Watch
Discrimination and surveillance: Can the EU Artificial Intelligence Act fix injustice?
Open Society European Policy Institute and EDRi
The EU is taking a bold step in its attempt to regulate artificial intelligence – a technology that is increasingly used in many areas of public life. Unfortunately, artificial intelligence systems also exacerbate existing injustices and create new harms for people who already suffer from racial discrimination and systemic injustice. The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act brings a unique opportunity to correct and prevent those harms, and to give people ways to seek redress. Watch the discussion to see if the Artificial Intelligence Act can be a positive force in Europe towards protecting people’s human rights and delivering social justice.
Read
Online Intimidation: Controlling the Narrative in the Balkans
Balkan Insight
Nearly 800 cases of digital rights violations in eight countries of south-eastern Europe were recorded by BIRN and EDRi member SHARE Foundation. Hate speech continues to thrive, journalists and vulnerable groups are systematically targeted in the online realm, and the presence of fake news does not decline. Read now to see who is particularly exposed to online attacks and what tensions are surging in society.
Do
Add your voice to protect digital rights and freedoms in the Legislation to effectively tackle child abuse
EDRi
EDRi and 38 civil society organisations jointly raise our voices to the European Commission to demand that the forthcoming EU ‘Legislation to effectively tackle child sexual abuse’ complies with EU fundamental rights and freedoms. The letter remains open for new signatures: you can add your organisation now.
Listen
Tribe of Noise & Free music archive
Creative Commons
Join Hessel van Oorschot, founder and “Chief of Noise” of the online music business Tribe of Noise, a community that connects artists, fans, and professionals for a discussion about his unconventional path to discovering his passion, insights on the biggest opportunities for music licensing right now, how he got involved with the open movement and Creative Commons, and more. Listen now.
Events
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Ground truth in Open Internet webinar series
Join this Creative Commons Open Journalism Webinar series tackling misinformation, disinformation and much more, taking place between January and March 2022.
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GPN20: Call for participation
Your contributions fill the Gulaschprogrammiernacht with talks and workshops!
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Freedom Not Fear 2022
Freedom not Fear – the most inspiring self-organised conference on digital rights and freedoms in Europe – is ambitiously aiming for a presence event in Brussels this year....
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CPDP Conferences: Computers, Privacy & Data Protection
As a world-leading multidisciplinary conference CPDP offers the cutting edge in legal, regulatory, academic and technological development in privacy and data protection. Within an atmosphere of independence and...
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FOSDEM 2022
FOSDEM is a two-day event organised by volunteers to promote the widespread use of free and open source software. Usually taking place in the beautiful city of Brussels (Belgium),...
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Winterkongress of Digitale Gesellschaft, Switzerland
The Digitale Gesellschaft (Digital Society Switzerland) invites you on Friday 25th February 2022, starting at 19.00, and Saturday 26th to this year's edition of the "Winterkongress".
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MozFest 2022: The schedule is now live!
MozFest is a unique festival- part art, tech and society convening, part maker festival, and the premiere gathering for activists in diverse global movements fighting for a more...
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The programme for the 11th edition of RightsCon is now out!
Every year RightsCon brings together activists, business leaders, policy makers, technologists, and journalists from around the world to take action on human rights in the digital age.
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re:publica Berlin 2022
re:publica Berlin is back! The festival for the digital society takes place from 8-10 June 2022 at Arena Berlin and Festsaal Kreuzberg with the motto "Any Way the...
Jobs
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Extended deadline: EDRi is looking for a Senior Communications and Media Manager (Permanent position)
EDRi is looking for a Senior Communications and Media Manager to join EDRi’s team in Brussels. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the communications of the...
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Call for Nomination – EDRi Board elections 2022
EDRi General Assembly (GA) will this year elect two Board members to replace two outgoing Board members. Representatives of EDRi members, affiliates and observers as well as interested applicants...
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Data Security Consultancy at Civicus
CIVICUS seeks a Data Security Consultant who will support the development and implementation of CIVICUS’ data protection strategy, as well as its compliance with data security regulations, such...
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Open Rights Group is looking for a Policy Manager
ORG is looking for a Policy Manager to play a leading role in devising, coordinating and executing national campaigns in conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer, Digital Communications...
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Mozilla Foundation opens a Call for Proposals: Alternative Data Governance Playbook
The primary goal of this research project is to identify opportunities for builders within existing legal landscapes — specifically, where the regulatory status quo in these four countries...
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Health Action International hiring for Advisor and EU-level policy advocate on AI in medicine
HAI aim to make use of our institutional presence, including at the European Parliament and EMA, to disseminate our research findings, coordinate advocacy and drive a movement towards...
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Director vacancy at Institute for Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Society (ITAS)
Nazareth College invites accomplished leaders with technology sector experience to join the Institute for Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Society (ITAS), a pioneering new initiative in Rochester, NY.
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Android/Python contractors for the Guardian Project
Guardian Project is seeking Android/Python contractors for mobile/free software/privacy work!
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Grant Specialist vacancy for Internet Society
The Internet Society (ISOC) supports and promotes the development of the Internet as a global technical infrastructure, a resource to enrich people’s lives, and a force for good...
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Committee to Protect Journalists is looking for Deputy Advocacy Director
CPJ has an immediate need for a Deputy Advocacy Director. The Deputy Advocacy Director provides dynamic and innovative leadership, promoting a culture of advocacy across the organization and...
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Algorithmic Justice League is looking for a Managing Director
The Managing Director will join AJL at a critical juncture, providing sound leadership and guidance as they roadmap their transition from a fiscally sponsored project to an independent...
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Senior Research and Teaching Associate/Postdoc Position
The Media & Internet Governance Division at the IKMZ studies media policy and media economics in the convergent communications sector. Alongside research on traditional mass media, the division...
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Intern or legal trainee in Digital Policy vacancy
Alexandra Geese, Member of the European Parliament, is looking for a trainee for her office, for a period of 3 months starting on 01.05.2022.
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Systemic Justice: Call for graphic recorders
Systemic Justice is looking for graphic recorders/illustrators to document each roundtable in a way that expresses what stands out in each meeting, rather than provide a full visual...
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Job openings at Epicenter.Works
EDRi member epicenter.works has openings for volunteer web developer, and graphic designer positions.
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Open vacancies at noyb for GDPR Lawyers, Legal Trainees & Community Managers
EDRi member noyb is a non-profit organization working on enforcement actions under GDPR, that is expanding their pan-European tech team to work on innovative legal tech projects.
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Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte is looking for Legal Trainees & more
EDRi member Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte (GFF) is looking for Legal Trainees and more. GFF is a Berlin-based NGO with the mission to establish a sustainable structure for successful strategic...
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Access Now is looking for Design Lead & more
EDRi member Access Now, a growing international human rights organization dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world, is looking for...
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Head of Global Public Policy & Government Affairs vacancy at Mozilla
Mozilla is looking for a Head of Global Public Policy & Government Affairs.
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Product Manager vacancy at CitizenLab
CitizenLab is looking for a Product Manager to join an international and fast-paced, yet collaborative and inclusive environment to thrive in.
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Policy Manager vacancy and Forum on Information & Democracy
As part of its activities, the Forum is looking for a Policy Manager.
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Human Rights Watch is hiring for a Director, Technology and Human Rights
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international human rights research and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy...
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Tactical Tech is looking for a Project Senior Coordinator
Tactical Tech is looking for a Project Senior Coordinator for their "What the Future Wants" project.
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Researcher – Open Source and Social Media specialist vacancy at Videre
Videre is recruiting for an inquisitive and thorough researcher with open source and social media research aptitude, language skills, and ability to train others.
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Policy adviser for the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament is looking for a full-time Policy adviser in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), fixed-term contractual agent...