One year of the AI Act: What’s the political and legal landscape now?
The EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act came into force on August 1, 2024. This blog takes stock of the political and legal landscape facing its implementation and enforcement one year on, especially efforts to delay or even gut the law which would have far-reaching effects on people’s rights, especially when it comes to migration and law enforcement use of AI.
Filter resources
-
One year of the AI Act: What’s the political and legal landscape now?
The EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act came into force on August 1, 2024. This blog takes stock of the political and legal landscape facing its implementation and enforcement one year on, especially efforts to delay or even gut the law which would have far-reaching effects on people’s rights, especially when it comes to migration and law enforcement use of AI.
Read more
-
Open letter: European Commission must champion the AI Act amidst simplification pressure
52 civil society organisations, experts and academics have written to the European Commission to express their concerns about growing pressure to suspend or delay the implementation and enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. Instead of unraveling the EU rulebook, which includes hard-won legal protections for people, the Commission should focus on the full implementation and proper enforcement of its rules, like the AI Act.
Read more
-
OPEN LETTER: The European Commission must act now to defend fundamental rights in Hungary
With Budapest Pride set to take place on June 28, 2025, EDRi and 46 organisation are urging the European Commission to defend fundamental rights in Hungary so that Pride organisers and participants can safely exercise their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Read more
-
Croatia in preparation for AI Law: Activists warn of risks to rights and call for safeguards going beyond EU AI Act
EDRi affiliate Politiscope recently hosted an event in Croatia for journalists and activists to discuss human rights impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), raise awareness about AI related harms, and to influence future national policy to incorporate safeguards for people’s rights.
Read more
-
When technology is the problem, not the solution: Lessons from harmful consequences of techno-solutionism in digital surveillance
AI-powered surveillance systems are being deployed globally - from Israel and Russia to EU member states. These systems target marginalised communities under the guise of improving security and efficiency. To rectify these harms, we must challenge techno-solutionist narratives and rethink why and how technology is used, and center human rights.
Read more
-
Digital trade: the new frontline in the fight for our rights
The EU is signing digital trade deals that could undermine fundamental rights and block oversight of software systems shaping our lives. From data protection to algorithmic accountability, these agreements risk empowering opaque systems - used by both companies and governments - at the expense of the people most affected by them.
Read more
-
Hungary’s new biometric surveillance laws violate the AI Act
This blog post is a legal analysis of new legislation in Hungary that uses facial recognition technology in a manner that violates the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. Such use of this technology risks discouraging people from exercising their fundamental rights undermining their trust in democracy.
Read more
-
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.
Read more
-
Serbian authorities must prosecute illegal hacking of journalists and activists
Today, 19 December, European Digital Rights (EDRi) and 58 organisations urge the European Union’s institutions to take action to stop the Serbian authorities’ illegal use of spyware to target journalists, activists, and members of civil society.
Read more
-
New European Commission confirmed: our takeaways on what to expect
On 1 December 2024, the new political leaders of one of the EU’s most powerful institutions – the European Commission – officially took office. As part of their nomination process, they shared their digital visions for the next five years. Spoiler alert: the fight for digital rights will be as important as ever, with data protection, encryption and privacy all on the chopping block.
Read more
-
Statement: EU takes modest step as AI law comes into effect
The EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act will finally come into force on August 1, 2024. While it's disappointing that the final law did not put people and their rights at the centre, it still contains some silver linings.
Read more
-
Council of Europe approves AI Convention, but not many reasons to celebrate
EDRi-member ECNL is not rejoicing at the adoption of Council of Europe’s AI Convention because of the significant flaws in the final text
Read more