The European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles has been finalized. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, signed the document for the rotating Council presidency outside of the European Council along with Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, and Petr Fiala, prime minister of the Czech Republic.
The Declaration, which was presented by the Commission in January of this year, outlines the EU’s commitment to a secure, safe, and sustainable digital transformation that puts people first and is consistent with the EU’s basic values and fundamental rights. The Declaration demonstrates to citizens the importance of upholding European ideals, as well as the rights and liberties protected by EU law, both online and off.
The text, which is organized around six chapters, will offer guidance to businesses and policy officials dealing with new technology. The Declaration will also direct how the EU responds to global digital change.
🎯 Guidelines for digital transformation’s rights and principles
The digital revolution has an impact on all facets of people’s life. It provides chances for increased individual well-being, sustainability, and growth, but it can also increase risks that call for a public policy response. The European Union seeks to safeguard European ideals through the Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles:
- Putting people at the centre of the digital transformation;
- Supporting solidarity and inclusion through connectivity, digital education, training and skills, fair and just working conditions and access to digital public services;
- Restating the importance of freedom of choice and a fair digital environment;
- Fostering participation in the digital public space;
- Increasing safety, security and empowerment in the digital environment, in particular for young people;
- Promoting sustainability.
These rights and principles specifically entail the following: universal, low-cost, high-speed digital connectivity; well-equipped classrooms and digitally proficient teachers; easy access to public services online; a safe digital environment for children; disconnecting after working hours; obtaining clear information on the environmental effects of our digital products; and control over the use and sharing of personal data.
🚀 Upcoming
The EU and its Member States’ shared political commitment to promoting and putting these principles into practice in all facets of digital life and achieving the goals of the 2030 Digital Compass is reflected in their signing of the European Declaration of Digital Rights and Principles at the highest level. The Declaration will also serve as a roadmap for the actual work being done on the Digital Decade Policy Programme, a vehicle for monitoring and cooperation to achieve the shared digital goals for the end of this decade.
The Commission will keep track of developments and provide reports through the yearly “State of the Digital Decade” report in order to meet the 2030 goals and for the Declaration to have real-world consequences.
The Declaration will also serve as a roadmap for the EU in its foreign relations as it relates to how to design a digital transition that prioritizes human rights.
