European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade

The European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade outlines a human-centric approach to digital transformation in the EU. It commits to ensuring that technology serves all citizens through principles of solidarity, inclusion, and the protection of fundamental rights. Key focus areas include universal high-speed connectivity, digital skills, transparency in AI and algorithms, the protection of the digital public space from disinformation, and the requirement for digital products to minimize environmental impact and support climate action.

• The EU aims for a digital transformation that prioritizes people, ensuring technology benefits all Europeans and respects their fundamental rights both online and offline.
• The declaration commits to universal, affordable, high-speed connectivity and the maintenance of a neutral, open internet to prevent the unjustified blocking or degradation of content and services.
• To ensure social inclusion, the EU commits to providing digital education and lifelong learning, specifically targeting elderly people, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups to prevent them from being left behind.
• The EU seeks to ensure transparency and human oversight in the use of artificial intelligence and algorithms to prevent unlawful discrimination and ensure these technologies do not pre-determine individual choices in areas such as health, employment, and education.
• The declaration emphasizes the protection of the digital public space, calling for the mitigation of disinformation campaigns and the safeguarding of freedom of expression, particularly regarding the role of very large online platforms.
• The EU commits to protecting personal data, ensuring the confidentiality of electronic communications, and providing individuals with control over their digital legacy after death.
• The declaration mandates that digital products and services be designed and recycled to minimize negative environmental and social impacts, promoting a circular economy and the deployment of solutions with a positive impact on the climate.

APA

Rowley, S. (2022). European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade. World Association for Christian Communication. https://waccglobal.org/european-declaration-on-digital-rights-and-principles-for-the-digital-decade/

Chicago

Rowley, Saskia. European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade. World Association for Christian Communication, 2022. https://waccglobal.org/european-declaration-on-digital-rights-and-principles-for-the-digital-decade/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Rowley |first1=Saskia |title=European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade |publisher=World Association for Christian Communication |date=15 November 2022 |url=https://waccglobal.org/european-declaration-on-digital-rights-and-principles-for-the-digital-decade/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{rowley2022european, author = {Rowley, Saskia}, title = {{European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade}}, publisher = {World Association for Christian Communication}, year = {2022}, month = nov, url = {https://waccglobal.org/european-declaration-on-digital-rights-and-principles-for-the-digital-decade/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }