Our work
EDRi is the biggest European network defending rights and freedoms online. We work to to challenge private and state actors who abuse their power to control or manipulate the public. We do so by advocating for robust and enforced laws, informing and mobilising people, promoting a healthy and accountable technology market, and building a movement of organisations and individuals committed to digital rights and freedoms in a connected world.
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Announcing the Summit “Fight for Us, not for Them”: A public interest vision for EU tech policy
Europe’s approach to governance for advancing technology in the digital age is under pressure, with “simplification” proposals hitting the heart of core digital protections. At the same time, civil society is uniquely positioned to co-develop the EU’s vision for public-interest tech laws, policies and practices. Today, civil society organisations announce a strategic convening between European lawmakers, regulators, journalists and key civil society voices for a vision for tech laws and practices that center public interest, data protection and other rights.
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If the DMA is fit for purpose why are the gatekeepers winning?
The European Commission says the Digital Markets Act (DMA) was “fit for purpose” and had “positive impact.” But while it certainly has that potential, laissez-faire enforcement and political interference by the Commission undermine its effectiveness and allow gatekeepers to continue to dominate European digital markets.
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EDRi-gram, 30 April 2026
What has the EDRi network been up to over the past few weeks? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: Young people across Europe say social media bans won’t fix broken platforms
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Czech Big Brother Awards 2025: Volkswagen, Meta and the Czech authorities noted as Snoopers of the Year
EDRi member Iuridicum Remedium organised the 21st annual Big Brother Awards in Czech Republic, with Volkswagen, Meta, and the Czech Ministries of the Interior and Industry and Trade highlighted as some of the biggest threats to privacy. Electric cars emerged as a new concern, and data retention and attacks on encryption continued to win big.
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Greece’s AI Smart Policing system ruled unlawful after €4 million public spending\
A 4 million EUR “Smart Policing” programme enabling the use of AI technologies, including facial recognition software, which was deployed by the Hellenic Police has been ruled unlawful by Greece’s data protection authority. The decision confirmed long-standing concerns raised by EDRi member Homo Digitalis about facial recognition and data protection violations.
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EDRi responds to European Commission’s consultation call on the Digital Omnibus
The European Commission opened consultations for the Digital Omnibus, EDRi responded by urging the Commission not to prioritise corporate interests and deregulation over privacy, transparency, and fundamental rights, ultimately putting people at greater risk of data misuse and discrimination.
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Youth organisations demand social media change, not bans
The protection of young people from online harms remains high on the political agenda, but the debate continue to focus on age gates and social media bans. In response, 31 youth organisations and youth activists – the intended recipients of these ‘protective’ measures – have joined forces to speak up against their own exclusion. They warn that the real solution lies in addressing the root cause of the problem: the design and business model of platforms.
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The EU AI Office must prioritise setting up the Advisory Forum
35 organisations and researchers call on the EU AI Office to provide clear information on the timeline and process of the establishment of the Advisory Forum, the only formal mechanism ensuring civil society voices are part of AI Act implementation.
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It’s not just spyware scandals: EU is funding the industry that spies on Europeans
Spyware, an extremely potent technology that turns a personal device into a constant surveillance instrument, was used by the Greek secret services to target dozens of people, including journalists, politicians and business executives. The Greek case marks arguably the first time that the executives of a spyware manufacturer – Intellexa, who developed Predator – will face criminal accountability. Although it did not condemn any Greek authorities for using spyware, this victory is heartening. It also leads to a bigger question: what about the EU’s own complicity in funding the market for spyware, even when we recognise the harms it inflicts?
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EDRi-gram, 15 April 2026
What has the EDRi network been up to over the past few weeks? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: Cracking the egg shells: what's inside the latest in EU digital rights?
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Europe shouldn’t “move fast and break things” with fundamental rights
The Digital Omnibus proposals, presented as “simplification,” risk weakening essential safeguards in the GDPR, the ePrivacy Directive, and the AI Act. By reducing protections and delaying obligations for high-risk systems, they introduce a logic reminiscent of the tech industry’s “move fast and break things” approach. In digital infrastructures built on large-scale data processing and automated decision-making, however, mistakes do not simply disappear. They become part of the system. This is why regulation is essential to protect people’s rights.
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Open Letter: EU lawmakers must safeguard the AI Act
41 organisations and experts are calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council to reject the AI Omnibus, and honour their responsibility in upholding and safeguarding the integrity of the AI Act and its implementation without delay.
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