European Digital Rights was founded in June 2002. Currently 28 privacy and civil rights organisations have EDRi membership. They are based or have offices in 18 different countries in Europe.
Members of European Digital Rights have joined forces to defend civil rights in the information society. The need for cooperation among organizations active in Europe is increasing as more regulation regarding the internet, copyright and privacy is originating from European institutions, or from International institutions with strong impact in Europe.
News & announcements
EDRi Initial Comments on the Proposal for a Data Protection Regulation
27 January, 2012
EDRi welcomes the European Commission's proposal for a new data protection Regulation. Europe needs comprehensive reforms in order to ensure the protection of it's citizen's personal data and privacy, while enhancing legal certainty and competitiveness in a single digital market. Since the first draft was leaked in December, there has been a significant lobbying effort by certain foreign governments and industry. As a result, while some of the provisions seem to have been watered down and/or downgraded, the proposal still highlights the importance of key principles such as "privacy by design" and data minimisation.
What's Wrong with ACTA Week
16 January, 2012
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Introduction The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a plurilateral international agreement which wants to set a “gold standard” for the enforcement of intellectual property rights. The Agreement will have major implications for freedom of expression, access to culture and privacy. It will also harm international trade and stifle innovation.
Decision-time in the European Parliament
In February, the European Parliament will be formally given the dossier. It then plans to discuss the dossier with the International Trade Committee as the body in charge, with input from the Industry, Legal Affairs, Civil Liberties and Development Committees.
US lobbying against draft Data Protection Regulation
22 December, 2011
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Right at the end of the inter-service consultation process in the European Commission (the almost final step before a legislative proposal is launched), the United States Department of Commerce launched a significant lobbying campaign against the leaked draft proposal for a Data Protection Regulation. The campaign included high-level phone calls from senior figures in the US Department of Commerce to top level staff in the European Commission covering topics such as US business, multilateral and bilateral treaty organizations, PNR, national security, law enforcement, trade and innovation. A somewhat less critical, but nonetheless alarming, "informal note" was also circulated (pdf).
EDRi transparency complaint to EU Ombudsman
Time:
2 Dec 2011 - 11
EDRi launches complaint on lack of transparency of European Parliament on ACTA
Over the past six months, EDRi has made repeated requests to the European Parliament for access to ACTA documents. Despite having voted not fewer than four times in favour of more transparency in this dossier, the Parliament has consistently refused our applications.
