What’s behind the EU’s digitalisation push? Surveillance, control and exclusion

The European Union's extensive digitalization initiative, framed by rhetoric of modernization and citizen empowerment, conceals a concerning reality. Rather than a simple technical upgrade, this project represents a political decision to prioritize surveillance and control over individual rights, particularly impacting marginalized groups. This shift fundamentally alters the relationship between citizens and the state, ushering in what is termed a "digital welfare state." This push involves a broad implementation of digital technologies across public services, often at the expense of established rights and considerations for individual privacy. The focus on efficiency and control appears to outweigh concerns for data protection and the potential for exclusion, leading to a normalization of surveillance mechanisms within the state apparatus. The implications are significant for how citizens interact with government services and how their data is managed and utilized. The consequences of this digitalization strategy disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new barriers to access. By centralizing data and increasing state oversight, the EU risks creating a system that surveils and controls rather than genuinely empowers all its citizens, raising critical questions about digital sovereignty and individual freedoms in the evolving digital landscape.