Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe

At the request of the European Commission, CDT Europe and Center for Democracy & Technology submitted a letter explaining key changes in U.S. laws, regulations and practices to inform the Commission’s first annual review of the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. (The DPF is the framework that enables the transfer of personal data between the EU and the U.S. 🇺🇸 ➡️ 🇪🇺.) In the letter we explain: 👉 The reauthorisation of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (April 2024) expanded the scope of the law so that any US company offering a service of any kind that has access to equipment on which communications are stored or transit can be compelled to comply with FISA 702 directives. 🚨These changes have introduced a high level of uncertainty about the scope of FISA 702 surveillance, and magnify concerns about the lack of safeguards in FISA 702. This then, raises questions as to whether U.S. surveillance laws provide a level of privacy and data protection essentially equivalent to the protection afforded by EU laws. Read our full letter to the European Commission here: https://lnkd.in/e3h6_2nE #surveillance #datatransfers

📢 Public Authorities & the AI Act: What You Need to Know The AI Act isn’t just for tech companies and developers— it applies to public authorities too. Ensuring public trust and safety is paramount and public authorities must lead by example, implementing AI responsibly and transparently. Here’s a deeper dive into their responsibilities, brought to you by our Counsel and Director of the Equity and Data Programme Laura Lázaro Cabrera: Dual Role Considerations: Providers & Deployers 🔷 If you modify or rebrand an AI system, you assume the role of a provider, which comes with extensive obligations. 🔷 Opting to deploy AI can mean fewer compliance burdens, but vigilance is key as several obligations still apply. Managing High-Risk AI Systems 🔷 Ensure robust human oversight and risk reporting mechanisms are in place. 🔷 Maintain representative input data for accurate and fair AI outcomes. 🔷 In terms of biometric ID, observe safeguards and secure necessary authorisations. 🔷 Provide detailed information on your AI systems as mandated by the AI Act. Additional Obligations for Public Authorities: 🔷 Register as deployers of the high-risk AI systems in the EU database. 🔷 Conduct comprehensive assessments on the implications of AI on fundamental rights. Strategic Checklist for Public Authorities considering deploying AI ☑ Determine if the prospective AI system is high-risk. ☑ Ensure the AI system is registered and the instructions are clear and comprehensive. ☑ Ensure your institution is equipped for human oversight, individual notifications and requests for explanation, as well as individual complaints . 🔗 Read our more detailed recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/e2GMZ9ts #AIAct #PublicAuthorities #AICompliance 

Today, the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act is published in the Official Journal, which means it will enter into force on 1 August 2024. 🇪🇺🤖 It's clear that the AI Act is a landmark piece of legislation and it will be looked to as the tone-setter globally. 👉 But where did it land on rights? Whilst human rights and privacy protections run throughout the Act, it left many of civil society's concerns unaddressed. ⚖️ There's still a way to go before many of the Act's provisions become applicable, with the section on prohibited AI practices becoming applicable first six months after entry into force and the full Act applying after two years. We look forward to the Commission and the AI Office working closely with civil society to ensure that the Act reaches its potential to protect fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law and does truly set a precedent in regulating this novel technology. In the meantime, we've published some in depth analysis of the AI Act, with a series of briefs. 🌐  Part 1 - an overview: https://lnkd.in/gR9-Wruh 🌐 Part 2 - Privacy & Surveillance: https://lnkd.in/dEd9Nhsq 🌐 Part 3 - Freedom of Expression: https://lnkd.in/ec5xTz_T The AI Act is published here: https://lnkd.in/euGfjvqx #AIAct #AI #ArtificialIntelligence

Yesterday, CDT Europe had the privilege of participating in a half-day event organised by Amnesty International and Amnesty International The Netherlands, focusing on the critical intersection of technology, gender, and inequality. This timely event brought together activists, human rights defenders, and experts to delve into the urgent discourse on embedding intersectionality within digital rights work. Key discussions highlighted the concern over surveillance and spyware technologies—a global phenomenon that poses significant threats to human rights defenders, activists, journalists, women and girls, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. The impact of these technologies is far-reaching, exacerbating gender-based violence and affecting equitable access to economic, social, and cultural rights. At CDT Europe, we are closely monitoring these issues and actively advocating for robust policies to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse impacts of surveillance and spyware technologies. We stand committed to defending and promoting digital rights for all, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than oppression. Thanks again to Amnesty for organising this event! #Spyware #Surveillance #Intersectionality

Don’t miss our latest newsletter - the EU Tech Policy Brief! In it you'll find our insights into the most pressing technology and internet policy issues under debate in Europe and internationally 🇪🇺 🌍 This month’s newsletter takes a deep-dive into: 🎉 CDT Europe’s appointment of Digital Rights Leader Asha Allen as Director and Secretary General! 👁️ A big win on the Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Regulation with the suspension of the vote by the Belgian Presidency. ⚖️ Our workshop on advancing fundamental rights in the AI Act implementation, where we strategised approaches to ensure human rights remain at the forefront of the roadmap to implementation. For this and everything else you need to know on EU tech policy and digital rights in the last month, have a look at our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eCyKGgPc

🚨 “There’s no more a pressing policy challenge at the moment than the impact that technology is having on democracy, on society and on people’s lives” - Tim Hughes, from Open Government Partnership speaking at the 5th in our series of Civil Society Roundtable events hosted jointly with Open Government Partnership. There could not therefore have been a better moment to hold an event like this on the Digital Services Act. With the landmark regulation having recently come into force, this was a unique opportunity to bring together over 90 participants from civil society, EU institutions, national regulatory bodies and academia. 👉 “(In the DSA) we may finally have a regulation at EU level that can bring a more human rights-respecting digital ecosystem. So that means concrete rules on challenging things like illegal content, but more specifically due diligence obligations for platforms to better respect our rights online and make sure that it’s safer for us all.” - Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe's Asha Allen 👉 As Eliška Pírková from Access Now points out “this is the first time that we have a chance to look in the kitchen of platforms and fully realise what is happening there and what kind of impact their systems and processes are having on our rights.” 👉 Now, given its welcome focus on rights, it’s all about making sure “the DSA lives up to its promise” highlights Chantal Joris of ARTICLE 19. “It is key that experts in human rights online that have been working on these issues for a long time get closely involved in the implementation and enforcement process,” Chantal emphasises why such roundtable events - as a way of bringing together civil society experts and policy makers - are so vital. 🤝  An overarching conclusion from the day’s technical workshops was that DSA implementation, compliance monitoring and enforcement will require much deeper collaboration between regulatory authorities, civil society and public interest groups. These dedicated, limited stakeholder spaces will continue to be essential in ensuring the legislation lives up to its potential in creating a safer, more equitable digital ecosystem. 🎥 WATCH the video here: https://lnkd.in/eRjAa8NV Read our blog for more key takeaways from the Roundtable event: https://lnkd.in/e-8BMcEQ Our thanks again to all our speakers, to the Open Government Partnership and to our Civil Society DSA Coordination Group (see more below, in comments) #DigitalServicesAct #DSA #PlatformRegulation #TechPolicy

🌐 Two weeks ago, CDT Europe hosted an impactful civil society workshop in Brussels, focused on advancing fundamental rights in the implementation of the AI Act. The workshop was an important first step after the AI Act’s approval, establishing priorities for civil society to strategise when it comes to the ongoing work of EU institutions and the governance entities created by the AI Act. 🔗 Dive deeper into our discussions in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/ePEzraJw #AIAct #HumanRights #CivilSociety

It was a pleasure meeting with MEP Kim van Sparrentak to discuss upcoming digital policy for the new European Parliament, particularly focusing on advancements and next steps for tech regulation.  We look forward to a continued collaboration!

📣 We're very excited to announce the appointment of Asha Allen as our new Secretary General! Previously CDT Europe’s Deputy Director and its Programme Director for Online Expression & Civic Space, Asha Allen is a leading Digital Rights Advocate and brings a wealth of experience in human rights & digital policy. "At a crucial moment for the future of technology and human rights, I am delighted that Asha will lead CDT Europe’s important work.” commented Peter Hustinx, former European Data Protection Supervisor and chair of CDT Europe’s Board of Directors. Alexandra Reeve Givens, President and CEO of Center for Democracy & Technology, said: “Asha is an experienced and strategic advocate who has played a leading role in strengthening civil society voices in EU policy debates. Asha’s expertise on fundamental rights and technology policy is second to none.” Read our full press release: https://lnkd.in/eFeqsyYU #EUTechPolicy #TechPolicy 

CDT Europe’s AI Bulletin has just been published! 🤖 Your must-read for everything AI-related in Europe… This edition includes: 🔵 The next steps for the EU’s AI Act have been coming into sharper focus. Our Bulletin has the latest on when the Act will come into force, the dates that various sections of the Act will begin to apply, as well as deadlines for specific actions. 🔵 The AI Act’s governance ecosystem has also been set in motion; we have the details of the various bodies such as the AI Office, the AI Board - both of which have been established, as well as the remaining structures created by the Act but not yet up and running. 🔵 Whilst the formal governance structures are being set up, the vital work of civil society in scrutinising AI and its regulation continues - not least by CDT Europe, with a recent workshop. We have more on this, as well as other news from the world of AI… Read the full Bulletin here: https://lnkd.in/eEpwPRaK Sign up so that you don’t miss any future editions: https://lnkd.in/eWJiPpsh #AIAct #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AINews