On Wednesday 26 January, the European Commission presented its draft declaration of digital rights and principles. With this declaration, it intends to promote the digital transition, placing people at the heart of the process.
“We are not creating or generating new rights or principles. We have fundamental rights and these must also be valid online”, summarised the EU institution’s Executive Vice-President for a digital Europe, Margrethe Vestager.
This declaration, which will serve as a reference for decision-makers, companies and industry players when launching a new technology and as a reminder of citizens’ rights, is based on six pillars.
In addition to the first of these, which ensures that people are at the heart of the digital transformation, the declaration incorporates the principles of solidarity and inclusion, to ensure that all EU citizens can benefit from it.
“Whatever the digital tools, no one should be left behind”, said Ms Vestager.
This part of the declaration, the text says, will be achieved through the deployment of high-speed connectivity accessible across the EU, education and skills development and the digitalisation of public services.
Freedom of choice and security
Freedom of choice is also one of the main points in the text. In this respect, the Commission emphasises in particular the importance of transparency for algorithms and the fact that we - as EU citizens - can rely on “reliable” information from a “fair” environment.
Furthermore, the draft declaration stresses the importance of involving citizens in the digital public space. The role of the major platforms in defending freedom of expression and combating disinformation is highlighted.
The declaration also - logically - focuses on the issue of security. On this aspect, the Commission notes its attachment to the fact that citizens should retain control of their personal data, to the respect of privacy and stresses the issue of the protection of young people online.
Finally, the statement is based on sustainability. On this point, the text reaffirms the EU’s desire to see future technologies fit into the framework of the ecological transition.
“For every gigatonne that the technologies will produce, they will help reduce emissions by up to 10 gigatonnes. This does not detract from the fact that they need to become greener”, said Ms Vestager.
Ongoing work to implement the objectives of the declaration
Work is currently underway on a number of texts, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) (see EUROPE 12873/9), the deployment of 5G (see EUROPE 12875/12), digital identity (see EUROPE 12843/10), artificial intelligence (AI) (see EUROPE 12876/18) and cyber security (see EUROPE 12846/1). These will provide rules and practical responses to the various principles set out in the Declaration of Digital Rights and Principles.
The declaration will now have to be discussed and approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The target date for adoption is currently next summer.
“We are faced with an increasingly uncertain world. On this issue, there is an ‘American’ approach dominated by the very large players. There is a ‘Chinese’ approach dominated by the government. There is a ‘Russian’ approach; I’ll leave it to you to say what that one is dominated by! And then there is us, with a humanist approach. (...) After signature by the Parliament and the EU Council, this declaration will become the constitutional basis for our information sector”, concluded the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton.
See the statement: https://bit.ly/3u2lt18 (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)