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Content of the declaration
The Declaration recalls the most relevant rights in the context of the digital transformation and “should also serve as a reference point for businesses and other relevant actors when developing and deploying new technologies”.
Chapter I of the Declaration is dedicated to “putting people at the centre of the digital transformation”. It states that the Commission, the European Parliament and Member States commit to “fostering responsible and diligent action by all digital actors, public and private, for a safe and secure digital environment”.
Chapter II is dedicated to “solidarity and inclusion”. It contains an item on the need to have “adequate frameworks so that all market actors benefiting from the digital transformation assume their social responsibilities and make a fair and proportionate contribution to the costs of public goods, services and infrastructures, for the benefit of all Europeans.”
Moreover, the Commission, the European Parliament and Member States would commit to ensuring that everyone has access to excellent connectivity. The Declaration also enshrines the “right to disconnect” for a work-life balance.
The Commission, the European Parliament and Member States would further commit to ensuring that all key public services are accessible online and that “nobody is to be asked to provide data more often than necessary”. They commit to “ensuring that all Europeans are offered an accessible, secure and trusted digital identity that gives access to a broad range of online services”. The electronic health records are also mentioned.
Chapter III is dedicated to the “freedom of choice”. It deals with artificial intelligence and gatekeepers. The objective is to ensure that there is transparency about the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence. Discrimination must be avoided, and human supervision is needed if the outcomes affect people. In addition, the future signatories would commit to ensuring that the responsibilities of gatekeepers are well defined.
Chapter IV is dedicated to “participation in the digital public space”. It mostly deals with democratic participation and disinformation.
Chapter V is dedicated to “safety, security and empowerment”. “Everyone should have access to digital technologies, products and services that are safe, secure, and privacy-protective by design”. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States would commit to protecting people, businesses and public institutions against cyber-attacks. “This includes protecting digital identity from identity theft or manipulation”. The Declaration also states that “no one shall be subject to unlawful online surveillance or interception measures”.
Data portability across services is also enshrined. However, the Declaration does not include anything on the location of data and the right for users to choose where their data are located.
Chapter VI is dedicated to “sustainability”. Digital products and services should be designed, produced, used, disposed of and recycled in a way that minimises their negative impact on the environment and society.
Next steps
The European Parliament and the Council will discuss the declaration. The European Commission would like them to sign the Declaration by this summer.
The progress made on the declaration will be monitored by the European Commission through its annual report on the State of the Digital Decade.
If you have any questions on this topic, please do not hesitate to contact Camille Dornier - Policy Manager: camille.dornier@eurosmart.com
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