May 19, 2021 · Blogs | Campaigns | Information democracy | Artificial intelligence (AI) | Biometrics | Surveillance and data retention

Can a COVID-19 face mask protect you from facial recognition technology too?

Mass facial recognition risks our collective futures and shapes us into fear-driven societies of suspicion. This got folks at EDRi and Privacy International brainstorming. Could the masks that we now wear to protect each other from Coronavirus also protect our anonymity, preventing the latest mass facial recognition systems from identifying us?

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February 2, 2022 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Online Safety Bill: Kill Switch for Encryption

Of the many worrying provisions contained within the draft Online Safety Bill, perhaps the most consequential is contained within Chapter 4, at clauses 63-69. This section of the Bill hands OFCOM the power to issue “Use of Technology Notices” to search engines and social media companies.

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July 21, 2023 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Freedom of expression online | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Council poised to endorse mass surveillance as official position for CSA Regulation

The Council of EU Member States are close to finalising their position on the controversial CSA Regulation. Yet the latest slew of Council amendments – just like the European Commission’s original – endorse measures which amount to mass surveillance and which would fundamentally undermine end-to-end encryption.

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April 4, 2024 · Blogs | Campaigns | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Surveillance and data retention

Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic: Belgium’s latest move doesn’t solve critical issues with EU CSA Regulation

The EDRi network has long-urged European Union (EU) lawmakers to ensure that efforts to combat OCSEA (online child sexual exploitation and abuse) are lawful, effective and technically feasible. The goal to protect children online is vital. This can only be done if the proposed measures work and are compatible with human rights, including privacy and the presumption of innocence.

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January 16, 2023 · Blogs | Information democracy | Open internet and inclusive technology | Privacy and data protection

Looking back at 2022: Protecting and advancing digital rights in times of crisis

In moments where we should be urgently tackling the climate crisis and working towards peace and justice worldwide, state funds and efforts seem to reinforce militarisation, fuel the climate crises and injustice. In response to increased surveillance and control practices coming from governments and private companies, EDRi members and partners have put forward a vision in which people live with dignity and vitality. What have we collectively achieved in 2022?

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June 28, 2023 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Warnings from the UK: 24/7 racialised GPS surveillance

Campaigners assembled outside Capita PLC’s Annual General Meeting in the City of London on Thursday 11 May are contesting the outsourcing company’s £114m contract to deliver 24/7 GPS monitoring services, used by the Home Office to surveil people without British citizenship.

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December 4, 2019 · Blogs | On the ground | Privacy and data protection | Biometrics | Surveillance and data retention

Serbia: Unlawful facial recognition video surveillance in Belgrade

On 3 December 2019, EDRi member SHARE Foundation, together with two other organisations, published a policy brief concerning a new “smart video-surveillance system” in Belgrade. The brief highlights that the impact assessment of video surveillance on human rights, conducted by the Serbian Ministry of Interior did not meet the legal requirements, and the installation of […]

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September 7, 2023 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Surveillance and data retention

European Parliament’s CULT committee set to greenlight controversial amendment to the EMFA in today’s vote

The European Parliament’s CULT committee is set to vote on the EMFA. The committee is likely to approve the contentious 24-hour must-carry amendment that could make it harder to fight disinformation, and would undermine the Digital Services Act.

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August 26, 2025 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Denmark wants to break the Council deadlock on the CSA Regulation, but are they genuinely trying?

Denmark made the widely-criticised CSA Regulation a priority on the very first day of their Council presidency, but show little willingness to actually find a compromise that will break the three-year long deadlock on this law. The Danish text recycles previous failed attempts and does nothing to assuage the valid concerns about mass surveillance and encryption. Not only is Denmark unlikely to be able to broker a deal, it also stands in the way of EU countries finding an alternative, meaningful, rights-respecting solution to tackling CSA online.

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October 6, 2021 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Online tracking industry / AdTech | Platform regulation | Surveillance and data retention

Why you shouldn’t buy Facebook Ray-Ban smart glasses

Imagine that you are strolling along a tranquil beach in your swimsuit. Suddenly, a stranger walking toward you takes out their phone and starts recording you. You might work up the courage to ask how they dared to invade your privacy, and demand they delete the footage.

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December 15, 2021 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Biometrics | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Italy introduces a moratorium on video surveillance systems that use facial recognition

On 1 December 2021, the Italian Parliament introduced a moratorium on video surveillance systems that use facial recognition technologies. This law introduces, for the first time in an EU Member State, a temporary ban for private entities to use these systems in public places or places accessible to the public. This moratorium is an important achievement: it recognises the dangers posed by technologies such as facial recognition to people's rights and freedoms. The moratorium will be in force until 31 December 2023 at the latest, unless a new law is introduced on the subject of biometric surveillance before that date.

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October 16, 2023 · Blogs | Privacy and data protection | Data protection standards | Privacy and confidentiality | Surveillance and data retention

Activists come to Brussels to tell MEPs to ensure everyone’s digital security amid mass surveillance measures in CSA Regulation

Between 9 and 11 October, 23 Stop Scanning Me activists from 13 European countries travelled to Brussels. They were students, parents, lawyers, young activists, human rights defenders and technologists. They came on behalf of the 200,000 people who signed the movement petition to tell their EU representatives in the European Parliament that the CSA Regulation proposal must be rejected to prevent mass surveillance.

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