On January 23, 2023, the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission jointly adopted the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade, with the aim of promoting a model of digital transformation centered on human beings, European values, and fundamental rights.
European Union - European Parliament, Council and European Commission - European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade
Anno 2023
The European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles outlines the shared intentions and commitments of the European Union to guide policymakers through the digital transformation and to serve as a reference point for businesses and all stakeholders involved in the development and dissemination of new technologies, highlighting the rights and values that should be promoted in this dimension.
Specifically, the Declaration provides for:
- Placing people at the center of the digital transformation (Chapter I). The document ensures that technology is always developed and used—by both public and private actors—for the benefit of every individual and in full respect of the values and rights recognized by the EU, both online and offline.
- Promoting solidarity and inclusion (Chapter II), ensuring that technology is used to unite people and to create a fairer and more inclusive society and economy within the European Union. To this end, everyone in the EU should be guaranteed access to digital connectivity; the right to receive adequate digital education and training; the right to fair, healthy, and safe working conditions even in the digital work environment; and online access to essential public services provided by the EU.
- Freedom of choice in interactions with artificial intelligence systems and, more broadly, within the digital environment (Chapter III). The Declaration states that AI must be used to improve human well-being, avoiding systems that pose risks or harm to health, safety, and fundamental rights. European institutions commit to ensuring the development of human-centered, trustworthy, and ethical AI systems; appropriate transparency and information regarding how AI operates and is used; the use of suitable data and the implementation of human oversight systems to prevent discrimination and rights violations; personal autonomy and freedom of choice regarding AI outcomes and usage; and the development of safe technology in line with ethical and legal principles upheld within the EU. Furthermore, individuals should be able to freely choose which online resources to use and to compete fairly in the digital realm.
- Participation of every individual in the digital public space (Chapter IV), ensuring access to a trustworthy, pluralistic, diverse, and multilingual digital environment; the ability to take part in public and democratic debate; protection of the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association—even in the digital environment; and access to online information without being subject to manipulation or disinformation campaigns.
- Promoting safety, autonomy, and responsibility in the new digital dimension (Chapter V). A safe, secure, and private digital environment must be guaranteed; personal rights to privacy, protection of personal data, confidentiality of communications, and freedom from unlawful online surveillance must be safeguarded; and children and young people must be protected online, ensuring that the digital space allows them to express their autonomy and creativity without being subject to undue manipulation or criminal behavior.
- Environmental sustainability of the digital transformation (Chapter VI). The Declaration must prevent significant environmental damage and promote the development of a circular economy, ensuring that people have access to clear and easy-to-understand information about the environmental impact of technologies and digital services.
The full text of the Declaration is available at the following link and in the download box.
Marta Fasan
Pubblicato il: Lunedì, 23 Gennaio 2023 - Ultima modifica: Martedì, 01 Luglio 2025
