The Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe (CDT Europe) has released its final Tech Policy Brief for 2024, focusing on pressing technology and internet policy issues in Europe, the U.S., and globally. The brief provides CDT's perspective on the impact of these policies on digital rights.
Spyware remains a significant concern within the EU, with recent developments including an arrest in Poland related to the use of Pegasus spyware. On November 20th, CDT Europe convened a Spyware coordination group to discuss EU-level actions against spyware. Participants agreed on the need for adaptable definitions of key terms and strict prohibitions against using spyware on journalists. They also explored internal market regulation as a legal basis for addressing commercial spyware markets.
Silvia Lorenzo Perez from CDT Europe participated in discussions at various Pall Mall Process meetings during the Paris Peace Forum. She emphasized the need for coordinated global action against spyware. A panel hosted by the Swedish government and Access Now featured testimonies from victims of spyware abuse, highlighting the necessity of robust regulatory action to protect human rights defenders.
The implementation phase of the Digital Services Act (DSA) is underway, with online platforms releasing annual risk assessment reports. A webinar organized by CDT Europe and EU DisinfoLab addressed challenges faced by Trusted Flaggers in combating illegal content online. Recommendations included sustainable funding for civil society organizations (CSOs), proactive communication strategies, and establishing a working group to harmonize practices.
David Klotsonis from CDT Europe joined a workshop in Vienna focusing on a human rights-centered application of the DSA. The event discussed principles for implementing DSA globally while considering risks in different regulatory environments.
Online gender-based violence continues to be an issue despite advancements like the Directive on combating violence against women and the DSA. In their blog, CDT Europe highlights ongoing obstacles such as cultural change needs and effective implementation.
In other areas, Laura Lazaro Cabrera spoke at Euronews’ Tech Summit about consumer protection regulation in the digital age. She emphasized substantive safeguards' importance alongside procedural ones to ensure robust consumer protection without stifling innovation.
CDT Europe's activities continue across various platforms like Bluesky, Mastodon, and LinkedIn as they engage with tech policy thought leaders and journalists.
Upcoming events include Laura Lazaro Cabrera participating in conferences discussing AI's role over future mandates and reflecting upon AI's impact on European democracy at events organized by Democracy Reporting International and Kofi Annan Foundation.
