EU’s Digital Deregulation Threatens Your Rights and Opens door to Oppression
The European commission’s proposed revisions to its digital regulations – often referred to as the “digital omnibus” – represent a hazardous step backward for digital rights. these changes risk dismantling crucial protections against online harms and unlawful surveillance, ultimately eroding your fundamental freedoms.
As Programme director at Amnesty Tech, I’m deeply concerned about the implications of this deregulatory push. It prioritizes corporate interests over the safety and rights of individuals.
What’s at Stake?
The proposed changes threaten to unravel years of progress made by civil society, trade unions, and human rights defenders. These groups worked tirelessly to establish a digital rulebook that safeguards people against:
* Unlawful surveillance: Weakened regulations coudl allow governments and corporations to monitor your online activity without proper oversight.
* Discriminatory profiling: You could face unfair treatment in areas like welfare, policing, employment, and education based on biased algorithms.
* Loss of data control: Your personal data may be used without your knowledge or consent, and you’ll have less ability to object to automated decisions impacting your life.
* Spread of harmful content: Reduced oversight could lead to an increase in hate speech, disinformation, and other harmful content online.
* Exacerbated climate harms: Prioritizing the tech industry over environmental concerns could worsen the climate crisis.
These aren’t hypothetical concerns. They represent real risks to a digitally safe and equitable society.
Undermining Hard-Won Progress
Manny of the laws designed to protect you are still not fully implemented. Yet, the EU is already attempting to weaken them, effectively shifting power from individuals to corporations. This concession to tech giants prioritizes profit over your fundamental rights.
“Years of hard work by civil society, trade unions, and human rights defenders has gone into ensuring that the EU’s digital rulebook protects people against digital threats and unfair AI systems, while safeguarding their data and holding governments and corporations accountable for misusing technologies. These measures are essential for a digitally safe society,” says Amnesty Tech Programme Director Damini Satija.
A Call for Stronger Enforcement,Not Deregulation
The EU claims these changes will streamline the implementation of digital laws like the AI Act and GDPR. Though,dismantling existing safeguards is counterproductive.
To truly support the effective implementation of these vital protections, the EU should:
* Strengthen existing safeguards: Enhance, not weaken, the rules designed to protect your digital rights.
* Ensure meaningful enforcement: Hold companies accountable for violating these regulations.
* Prioritize a rights-respecting tech future: Focus on building a digital world that respects your privacy, security, and freedom.
The bigger Picture
This “digital omnibus” is part of a broader deregulatory trend within the EU.Civil society organizations have repeatedly raised alarms about this shift, warning of its potential consequences for human rights. You can learn more about this concerning trend here and here.
The future of your digital rights is at stake. It’s time for the EU to prioritize people over profits and ensure a safe, equitable, and rights-respecting digital world for all.
