Results for going dark

February 1, 2023 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Artificial intelligence (AI) | Biometrics

Phone unlocking vs biometric mass surveillance: what’s the difference?

Facial recognition is one of the most hotly-debated topics in the European Union’s (EU) Artificial Intelligence Act. Lawmakers are more aware than ever of the risks posed by automated surveillance systems which pervasively track our faces – as well as our bodies and movements - across time and place. This can amount to biometric mass surveillance (BMS), which undermines our anonymity and freedom, and weaponises our faces and bodies against us. The article explores the types of biometric technology and their implications.

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April 7, 2021 · Blogs | Open internet and inclusive technology | Data protection standards | Inclusive technologies

Why the electronic green vaccination certificate creates new problems instead of solving them

The National Council in Austria passed a legal basis for the electronic immunity certificate project within two days, skipping any kind of review procedure. The digital passes are not a ticket to a normal life, vaccination is. So, special attention should be paid to maintaining the trust of people and the voluntary nature of vaccination, ensuring that people's rights to privacy and freedom of choice are respected. EDRi's member epicenter.works explains what are the concerns with the deployment of green certificates and suggests alternatives to this project.

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May 7, 2025 · Blogs | EDRi-gram | Highlights | Information democracy | Open internet and inclusive technology | Privacy and data protection

EDRi-gram, 7 May 2025

What has the EDRis network been up to over the past two weeks? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: Apple & Meta fined for breaching DMA, civil society urges EU to act against Hungary’s pride ban, & more!

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April 7, 2021 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Privacy and confidentiality

Everyone wants to encourage encryption, except for one minister

The Department of Justice and Security in the Netherlands seems to be holding on to the idea that it is possible to weaken encryption "just a little". Simultaneously, the parliament and a monster alliance of organizations tells the minister over and over again: it's impossible. EDRi's member Bits of Freedom sheds some light on the on-going debate on the question.

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March 23, 2022 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Privacy and confidentiality

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 the legislative proposal. Leaked by French media outlet Contexte yesterday (22 March), and dated 15 February 2022, the Opinion confirms the fears 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.

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January 20, 2025 · Blogs | Open internet and inclusive technology | Alternatives to dominant digital services | Disinformation and electoral interference | Platform regulation

Why EDRi is leaving X and where to find us

Since Musk’s acquisition of X in October 2022, we have been working towards an exit strategy. Recent developments and Musk becoming part of the second Trump administration have contributed to a unique and toxic platform power-grab, which has accelerated our X-it timeline. EDRi is joining many other organisations and people in leaving X by the end of January 2025. On 20 January, we will host an important X Spaces conversation to encourage our followers to join Mastodon.

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May 29, 2024 · Blogs | Press mentions | Information democracy

Digital futures for all

In recent years, protecting and advancing digital rights feels like a never-ending battle as more and more of our lives get entangled with the digital world. Challenges to our freedoms online and offline continue to pile up as we face tech corporations with ginormous budgets and states with carte blanche to do anything for ‘national security’ reasons.

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July 6, 2022 · Blogs | On the ground | Privacy and data protection | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Challenging the use of GPS tags to monitor asylum seekers in the UK

The latest rollout of GPS tags to monitor migrants is another step in creating a 'hostile environment' for asylum seekers in the UK. 

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April 20, 2022 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Cross border access to data | Privacy and confidentiality

Policing: France proposes massive EU-wide DNA sweep, automated exchange of facial images

The French Presidency of the Council is seeking EU-wide comparisons of every DNA profile held by police forces against all those held by other national police forces, as well as EU policing agency Europol, as part of plans to upgrade the ‘Prüm’ network of police databases. It also hopes to automate the police exchange of facial images by eliminating requirements for human review.

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February 10, 2021 · Blogs | EDRi-gram | Highlights | Open internet and inclusive technology | Data protection standards | Online tracking industry / AdTech | Platform regulation | Transparency

How Big Tech maintains its dominance

As Big Tech deepens its dominance into new public domains, major issues arise around fundamental rights, democracy and justice. This article reflects the conversation that took place at the 2021 EPDS Civil Society Summit which was part of #PrivacyCamp21.

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May 28, 2025 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Equal access to the internet | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Sweden further cracks down on sex workers: What it means for digital rights

Despite overwhelming opposition from civil society, academic experts, and sex workers, the Swedish Parliament voted to adopt a law that expand the criminalisation of sex work. This will have have a chilling effect nationally and internationally, and affect digital rights.

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March 7, 2023 · Blogs | Highlights | Press releases | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Surveillance and data retention

Poll: Young people in 13 EU countries refuse surveillance of online communication – Press Release

According to the results of the survey, 80% of young people aged 13 to 17 years old from 13 EU Member States would not feel comfortable being politically active or exploring their sexuality if authorities were able to monitor their digital communication, in order to look for child sexual abuse.

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