Civil society launches demands for a just and flourishing digital Europe at Summit with Zuboff, MEP Benifei, DuckDuckGo, after guerrilla projection stunt in Brussels
Civil society organizations have unveiled a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at shaping a more equitable and rights-respecting digital economy in Europe. The "Make It Real: Calls to Action for a Flourishing and Just Digital Europe" publication, released by thirteen organizations including EDRi, proposes concrete steps for EU lawmakers. This initiative seeks to bolster fundamental rights, enhance democratic accountability, and foster fairer competition within the digital landscape. The launch event, dubbed the "Fight for Us, Not for Them" Summit, featured prominent figures such as Professor Shoshana Zuboff, renowned for her critique of surveillance capitalism, and MEP Brando Benifei, an influential voice in digital policy. This gathering underscored the urgency of addressing the societal impacts of large digital platforms and the growing concerns over their influence on democratic processes and market dynamics. This concerted effort by civil society groups follows significant lobbying activities by Big Tech firms, as highlighted by a preceding visual protest in Brussels. The demands articulated by these organizations are designed to counter the prevailing trends of data monopolization and to advocate for digital frameworks that prioritize human well-being and democratic values over unchecked corporate power.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
Why this matters for European digital sovereignty
European civil society groups have launched policy recommendations aimed at fostering a more equitable and rights-respecting digital economy, pushing for concrete steps from EU lawmakers. This initiative seeks to bolster fundamental rights, enhance democratic accountability, and promote fairer competition within Europe's digital landscape. The effort highlights concerns over Big Tech's influence and advocates for digital frameworks that prioritize human well-being and democratic values.
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