The Centre for Democracy & Technology (CDT) Europe has resumed its activities with a full team at the start of 2025. Two new members, Joanna Tricoli and Magdalena Maier, have joined the organization, enhancing its Security, Surveillance and Human Rights Programme and Equity and Data Programme respectively. Secretary General Asha Allen has also returned to the office.
Concerns have arisen over recent dismissals from the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) by the Trump Administration on January 27th. The board's lack of quorum hinders its ability to oversee U.S. surveillance activities that may affect civil liberties. The PCLOB is integral to the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), established in 2023 after negotiations following the Court of Justice of the EU’s invalidation of Privacy Shield. This situation poses risks to transatlantic data flows as it challenges U.S. commitments under the DPF.
In December, the Venice Commission released a report addressing spyware regulations across Council of Europe Member States, calling for strict oversight due to privacy concerns linked with technologies like Pegasus spyware.
CDT Europe recently hosted an in-person meeting in Brussels for civil society groups focused on Digital Services Act (DSA) implementation strategies for 2025. The event highlighted challenges related to recommender systems used by Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines in risk assessment reports required by DSA.
On AI practices, CDT Europe responded to an EC questionnaire regarding prohibited practices under the AI Act set to apply from February 2nd, 2025. Concerns remain about aspects of the second draft General-Purpose AI Code of Practice published by the European Commission last December.
Laura Lazaro Cabrera, CDT Europe's Equity & Data Programme Director, participated in a panel discussing a recent EDPB opinion on AI models' interaction with GDPR regulations.
CDT is expanding its presence on Bluesky, encouraging engagement with tech policy discussions on this platform.
Upcoming events include an Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in France and RightsCon in Taipei where CDT representatives will discuss human rights implications concerning technology developments.
