Our work
EDRi is the biggest European network defending rights and freedoms online. We work to to challenge private and state actors who abuse their power to control or manipulate the public. We do so by advocating for robust and enforced laws, informing and mobilising people, promoting a healthy and accountable technology market, and building a movement of organisations and individuals committed to digital rights and freedoms in a connected world.
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Poland blocks Software Patents directive
The Dutch EU presidency has failed to push through the controversial Council proposal on software patents. Thanks to the last-minute arrival of the Polish secretary of state of Science and Information Technology at the EU Council of Agriculture and Fishery on 20 December, the proposal could not be adopted without voting. Mr Wlodzimierz Marcinski formally […]
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Austrian and German courts protect identity file-sharers
The music industry has suffered a severe setback by two verdicts by courts in Munich and Vienna. Both courts ruled that internet service providers did not have to hand-over data about customers. In the Munich case, the Higher Regional Court squashed an earlier verdict that obliged providers to hand-over data about users suspected of operating […]
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New Council of Europe committee on human rights and internet
The Council of Europe is working on a new declaration or recommendation on human rights and internet. An ad-hoc committee of experts on the information society has been meeting for the first time in November 2004, and will have a second meeting in Strasbourg on 3 and 4 February 2005. The Council does not provide […]
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Austrian marketeer condemned by privacy authority
The Austrian data protection commission has condemned the marketing firm dm-plus. The firm created a CD-ROM for the company Herold with name and address data of over 4 million Austrian citizens. The disk also contained additional information about 2 million Austrians, such as date of birth, title, type of household, income and civil status. Herold […]
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Council of Europe insists on right of reply
The Council of Europe (46 member states) has issued a hotly debated recommendation on the right of reply on 15 December 2004. “Governments of the member states should examine and, if necessary, introduce in their domestic law or practice a right of reply or any other equivalent remedy, which allows a rapid correction of incorrect […]
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Freedom of information law in German Parliament
The German Parliament (Bundestag) has completed the first reading of a new freedom of information law on 17 December 2004. Germany and Switzerland are the only 2 major Western European member states of the Council of Europe without such a law on accessibility of governmental acts and decision making. Within the EU, only Cyprus, Malta […]
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First fines for Dutch spammers
For the first time since the spam-ban went into force in the Netherlands (19 May 2004) the Dutch regulatory authority OPTA has fined Dutch spammers. One spammer is accused of having sent 4 spam-runs and now faces a fine of 42.500 euro. Two of his spams advertised a CD-ROM with invoice-software, another one was directly […]
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Council of Europe outlines e-governance strategy
The Council of Europe has adopted a recommendation on e-governance on 15 December 2004. The Council recommends that member states “Work together with the appropriate international, national, regional and local stakeholders, to develop a shared vision of e-governance that upholds human rights, democracy and the rule of law.” Member states should use e-governance to strengthen […]
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EU Court confirms Commission's decision against Microsoft
The EU Court of First Instance has entirely dismissed Microsoft’s objections to a set of sanctions against the software giant by the EU Commission. The Court rules that the Commission’s decision does not “cause serious and irreparable damage” to Microsoft. Microsoft requested an interim measure from the Court that would hold up the Commission’s decision […]
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Best wishes
European Digital Rights wishes all readers a courageous and fruitful new year. Looking back at 2004, we have to conclude fear is a bad source of legislative inspiration. Hopefully in 2005 the balance between security and privacy, between business interests and personal freedom can be maintained by a truly blind Lady Justice. Thanks to another […]
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