Massive anti-racist protests, nearly 150,000 deaths from coronavirus, and an ever-growing social divide, stirred up from the political arena. It is a turbulent time in the United States, and in many of the debates where the country looks itself in the mirror and wonders what is happening, Facebook appears, probably the company that best exemplifies the dynamics of social and commercial communication in the twenty-first century.
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An historic agreement, a great opportunity for EU digitalization
Europe has sealed an historic agreement, reached after five days of negotiations. The 27 have launched a huge financial package to drive the post-COVID economic recovery and have set the budgetary roadmap until 2027 for modernisation of the continental economy. This is historic as it provides a quick response to bounce back after the blow taken from the pandemic, and historic for the huge amount of funds mobilised now and for coming years.
Read more‘Committees of sages’ and digital rights: how to move from theory to reality
Gradually, digitalization, in its broadest sense, is beginning to have a prominent place on the political agenda of governments and institutions. This is a transversal and multidimensional challenge for society as a whole, affecting health, education, wealth creation, mobility, democratic freedoms, the free market, etc. Digital transformation can bring enormous benefits for people, companies – of all sizes – and society overall if the transition process is done in an orderly, rational, and inclusive way. The necessary transition also entails challenges and risks, as adjustments will have to be made and accepted; hence the importance of reaching consensus among all the parties involved. This is why we welcome the launch, by the Spanish Government, of a group of experts who will advise them on the creation of a Digital Rights Charter. Addressed here will be rights already recognized in Spanish legislation – for example, data protection – and more recent realities, such as new labour relations and artificial intelligence.
Read moreTechnology against pandemic: Is data the price to pay for our health?
The gradual lifting of restrictions is here. Europe is, little by little, ending the lockdown of its population, using different rhythms and methodologies. And for now, despite all the debate in recent weeks, there is no consensus on widespread implementation of applications to detect people who have been in contact with others who are newly infected.
Read moreHow are European institutions facing the digital transition?
The challenges of the digital transition are complex and encompass all types of areas: from the defence of democratic values to purely legal matters, without forgetting free competition, defence against cyber-terrorism or data protection. Consequently, several European institutions are responsible, to a greater or lesser extent, for designing a proactive European response, without falling behind the United States and China and maintaining the standards that have made the European Union a tool for progress for more than 440 million citizens.
Read moreDoes the internet pose a danger for public security? About Spanish regulation
At the end of 2019, the Spanish government passed a law (Royal Decree-Law 14/2019) to adopt urgent measures for reasons of public security in regard to digital administration, hiring in the public sector and telecommunications.
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