July 14, 2021 · Blogs | Campaigns | Information democracy | Artificial intelligence (AI) | Biometrics | Surveillance and data retention

EU privacy regulators and Parliament demand AI and biometrics red lines

In their Joint Opinion on the AI Act, the EDPS and EDPB “call for [a] ban on [the] use of AI for automated recognition of human features in publicly accessible spaces, and some other uses of AI that can lead to unfair discrimination”. Taking the strongest stance yet, the Joint Opinion explains that “intrusive forms of AI – especially those who may affect human dignity – are to be seen as prohibited” on fundamental rights grounds.

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July 20, 2023 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Surveillance and data retention

LIBE Committee’s opinion fails to include a total ban on the use of spyware in the European Media Freedom Act

EU Parliament's LIBE committee voted on its position on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and failed to call for a total ban on the use of spyware against journalists.

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November 25, 2020 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Alternatives to dominant digital services | Artificial intelligence (AI)

EU alphabet soup of digital acts: DSA, DMA and DGA

Members of the European Commission appointed in 2019 agreed to put digital policies as one of the cornerstones of EU legislation between 2019-2023. These include the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Data Governance Act (DGA). So, what are the differences between these acts?

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September 27, 2023 · Open letters | Privacy and data protection | Freedom of expression online | Surveillance and data retention

Open Letter: European Parliament must protect journalists and ban spyware in the European Media Freedom Act

As the European Parliament gets set to vote on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) next week, 80 civil society and journalists’ associations are calling on Members of European Parliament (MEPs) to ensure meaningful protection for journalists in the regulation by including a total ban on spyware.

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April 17, 2025 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Artificial intelligence (AI) | Biometrics

Civil society to European Commission: Act now to defend fundamental rights from Hungary’s Pride ban and the use of facial recognition against protesters

EDRi, along with a broad coalition of civil society organisations, demands urgent action from the European Commission on Hungary’s new law banning Pride marches and permitting the use of live facial recognition technology targeting protesters.

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July 6, 2022 · Blogs | Open internet and inclusive technology | Transparency

The European Media Freedom Act: a unique opportunity to safeguard Europe’s media and democratic values

Media independence, freedom and plurality are under pressure in the EU. The upcoming European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is a unique opportunity to protect Europe’s media and, by ensuring a diverse information ecosystem, also safeguarding EU democratic values.

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June 19, 2023 · Blogs | Open letters | Privacy and data protection | Transparency

Open letter: The Council of European Union must protect journalists against spyware and surveillance in the European Media Freedom Act

Civil society and journalist associations are calling on the Council of the European Union to reconsider its current position on the European Media Freedom Act, as stated in a recent compromise text. Instead, the Council must take steps to meaningfully protect journalists and their fundamental rights.

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February 22, 2017 · Blogs

New legal framework for predictive policing in Denmark

After the terrorist attack in Copenhagen in February 2015, the Danish government presented an action plan to strengthen the data analysis capacity of the police and the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET). The action plan, called “A Strong Guard against Terror”, specifically mentions monitoring of social media posts in order to discover possible terrorist […]

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February 22, 2022

Discrimination and surveillance: Can the EU Artificial Intelligence Act fix injustice?

The Open Society European Policy Institute and European Digital Rights (EDRi) invite you to join us on a deep dive with EU policy-makers, academic and civil society experts. The virtual conference will explore how the Artificial Intelligence Act can be a positive force in Europe towards protecting people's human rights and delivering social justice.

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May 3, 2023 · Position papers | Open internet and inclusive technology | Data protection standards | Digital sustainability | Transparency

Position Paper: The Cyber Resilience Act, how to make Europe more digitally resilient?

If the EU’s new Cyber Resilience Act truly wants to improve the EU’s digital security landscape, it must do more than introduce an industry certification scheme: true IT security requires long-term software support, transparent and safe vulnerability handling and disclosure, and an acknowledgment of the essential role of free and open software communities in Europe’s digitisation.

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February 24, 2021

The Digital Markets Act – how to break the market dominance of Big Tech

What are the problems with market dominance of big tech? How are governments trying to solve them? Will the Digital Markets Act and similar efforts be enough? Join this webinar to learn more.

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July 13, 2022 · Blogs | Campaigns | Press mentions | Privacy and data protection | Online tracking industry / AdTech | Platform regulation

EU Digital Services Act brings us closer to an inclusive, equitable internet

Strong enforcement of the DSA can bring human rights improvements, but real alternatives to the current dominant surveillance business model are still needed

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