The Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe (CDT Europe) has released its Spring 2024 Tech Policy Brief, which covers pressing technology and internet policy issues under debate in Europe, the U.S., and internationally. The report also provides CDT's perspective on the impact of these issues on digital rights.
CDT Europe is set to host an online high-level event on May 15 addressing the aftermath of the Pegasus spyware scandal and its worldwide impact. In 2021, the Pegasus scandal highlighted the dangers of government surveillance enabled by modern technologies. Despite calls for action, progress at the EU level remains elusive, prompting civil society to advocate for human-rights protective approaches.
The European Parliament approved the AI Act on March 13. Despite its ambitions to set a global standard that would robustly protect human rights, critics argue that it falls short. The Act creates obligations for providers of high-risk AI but contains a loophole allowing providers to self-assess their AI system out of the high-risk category.
On April 17, CDT Europe and the Open Government Partnership held an event bringing together participants from EU Member States, institutional and national regulator representatives, and a diverse coalition of civil society organisations for discussions on the Digital Services Act’s implementation.
CDT Europe and Future for Free Speech held a symposium on March 19 discussing impacts on human rights of legislation such as the AI Act and Digital Services Act (DSA). Laura Lazaro Cabrera, CDT Europe’s Counsel and Programme Director for Equity and Data, moderated a panel focused on the AI Act’s pathway to adoption.
A workshop co-organised by Ada Lovelace Institute and SaferAI focused on how the AI Act governs general-purpose AI models. Participants raised concerns about potential disproportionate influence from private sector in drafting industry standards due to limited civil society involvement.
Following revelations that almost 600 people were targeted with Pegasus spyware under Poland's former government, the issue of spyware surveillance has taken on renewed importance. Silvia Lorenzo Perez, CDT Europe’s Programme Director on Security, Surveillance, and Human Rights, highlighted the need for precise definitions within legal frameworks that adapt to the evolving landscape and safeguard human rights in the digital sphere.
CDT Europe welcomed new team members Aimée Duprat-Macabies and Jonathan Schmidt, while David Klotsonis was promoted to Policy and Research Officer.
