March 29, 2023 · Blogs | Information democracy | Open internet and inclusive technology | Privacy and data protection

Shaping the next 20 years of digital rights in Europe

Last week we celebrated the 20th anniversary of EDRi, the European Digital Rights network, and its two decades of defending and promoting rights online and off. The digital rights movement has come a long way and we are at a crucial moment to shape our shared digital future for the better. The EU’s fundamental rights framework has been pivotal in our achievements so far, but it has never served everyone equally. How can we better equip Europe for the human rights challenges of the digital age?

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June 13, 2023 · Blogs | Open letters | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Surveillance and data retention

The Belgian government is failing to consider human rights in CSA Regulation

Despite the clear warnings, Belgium has taken a position calling on the EU to adopt the CSA regulation as quickly as possible, dismissing the technical problems, and without addressing the serious legal concerns that have been raised.

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March 5, 2025 · Blogs | Press mentions | Privacy and data protection | Artificial intelligence (AI) | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Why the new Europol regulation is a Trojan Horse for surveillance

The EU Commission’s proposal for a new Europol Regulation as part of the recast of the ‘Facilitator’s Package’ is a pretext for unchecked expansion of power and resources for Europol, the EU’s policing agency, at the expense of those they claim to protect.

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July 2, 2024 · Blogs | Open internet and inclusive technology | Privacy and data protection | Alternatives to dominant digital services | Data protection standards | Online tracking industry / AdTech | Surveillance and data retention

Apple must comply with the DMA, urges civil society call to European Commission

Civil society organisations and stakeholders have submitted an analysis to the European Commission about Apple’s attempts to circumvent the Digital Markets Act’s goals of allowing people freedom of choice on their own devices.

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August 7, 2025 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Artificial intelligence (AI)

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.

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January 31, 2024 · Blogs | Open internet and inclusive technology | Equal access to the internet | Platform regulation | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Irish Media Regulator must address dangerous age verification in its new online safety code

On 30 January 2024, EDRi submitted its comments on the Irish Media Regulator’s (Coimisiún na Meán) new Online Safety Code in a public consultation, highlighting significant concerns about age verification.

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May 27, 2020 · On the ground | Privacy and data protection | Freedom of expression online | Surveillance and data retention

German Constitutional Court stops mass surveillance abroad

The German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) has so far been able to spy on foreign citizens abroad en masse and without cause—even on sensitive groups such as journalists.

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June 16, 2021 · Blogs | Press mentions | Information democracy | Artificial intelligence (AI) | Biometrics | Surveillance and data retention

Workplace, public space: workers organising in the age of facial recognition

‘Surveillance capitalism’ is increasingly threatening workers’ collective action and the human right to public protest.

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July 12, 2021 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Surveillance and data retention

It’s official. Your private communications can (and will) be spied on

On 6 July, the European Parliament adopted in a final vote the derogation to the main piece of EU legislation protecting privacy, the ePrivacy Directive, to allow Big Tech to scan your emails, messages and other online communications.

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

Spyware is only the tip of the iceberg: we need to protect journalists from all forms of surveillance

The EDRi network published amendments and recommendations for the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) proposal calling for comprehensive protection for journalists, journalistic sources and human defenders against surveillance measures.

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April 3, 2024 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Biometrics | Surveillance and data retention

Mandatory fingerprints on IDs will be up for re-negotiation

On 21 March 2024, the European Court of Justice ruled the European Union (EU) regulation that enacts fingerprint IDs to be invalid for formal reasons. The principle of mandatory fingerprint collection was declared to be compliant with fundamental rights. However, the court has required a new regulation to be adopted on a different legal basis, opening up opportunities to ultimately overturn the fingerprint obligation.

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June 4, 2020 · Blogs | Open internet and inclusive technology | Artificial intelligence (AI) | Surveillance and data retention

EDRi submits response to the European Commission AI consultation – will you?

Today, 4th June 2020, European Digital Rights (EDRi) submitted its response to the European Commission’s public consultation on artificial intelligence (AI). In addition, EDRi released its recommendations for a fundamental rights-based Artificial Intelligence Regulation.

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