More than 20 years ago, when the Internet was just beginning to impact people’s daily lives, EDRi was founded on a European vision to protect an open Internet and defend people’s rights in the digital world.
Today, as technology becomes more deeply ingrained in our lives and societies, EDRi’s mission is more important than ever. We have grown into a dynamic and tenacious collective of over 50 civil society organisations, activists and academics working to protect and promote rights and freedoms in the golden age of surveillance. We work across the EU, Europe and beyond.
We represent people’s interests in technology policy: our fingerprints are on all major EU legislation regulating technology, internet platforms and online communications.
From the groundbreaking EU Artificial Intelligence Act to the Digital Services Act or the technical details of securing encryption, the EDRi network stands up for privacy, data protection, freedom of expression and assembly, equality, non-discrimination and other fundamental rights essential for all people to live a dignified life.
Thanks to our advocacy and working with a broad civil society coalition, important digital issues such as the harms of surveillance advertising, the dangers of facial recognition, the importance of protecting encrypted communications, and the misuse of AI technologies are now on lawmakers’ agendas.
We represent the public interest at a time when lobbying by big tech companies is intensifying in Brussels. In our daily work, we confront private and state actors who abuse their power to control and manipulate citizens.
EDRi’s vision for the digital future: Technology for people, democracy and the planet
EDRi works with many organisations – human rights organisations, corporate accountability organisations, social organisations, race organisations, climate justice organisations, labour representatives etc. We recognise that the struggles against the rise of state authoritarianism, corporate power and the climate crisis are interconnected.
EDRi puts forward a manifesto that harnesses the wisdom and vision of our movement and establishes a positive vision for the digital future. We call for an approach to technology regulation that is intertwined with the rule of law, justice, the pillars of social rights, and sustainability concerns.
2024 is a crucial moment for making our common vision a reality, together with committed and conscientious EU decision-makers.
1 October: Civil society dialogue with new EU decision makers
On October 1, 2024, more than 30 civil society organizations will co-host a Technology & Society Summit in Brussels. This invitation-only event will bring together key voices from civil society and EU decision-makers, including newly elected Members of the European Parliament, to exchange views on policies at the intersection of technology, society and the environment. Expect panels, dialogues and activities on enforcing EU law, challenging the power of big tech companies, climate, the online information ecosystem, defence, policing, migration and building a safer internet for all.
