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Public consultation on a set of European Digital Principles

As a follow-up to its Digital Decade Communication of 9 March, the Commission launched a public consultation on the formulation of a set of digital principles to promote and uphold EU values in the digital space. This consultation, open until 2 September 2021, seeks to open a wide societal debate and gather views from citizens, non-governmental and civil society organisations, businesses, administrations and all interested parties. These principles will guide the EU and Member States in designing digital rules and regulations that deliver the benefits of digitalisation for all citizens.

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The Commission laid out its vision for Europe's digital transformation by 2030 in its Communication “Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade“, and proposed to compile a set of digital principles. This covers areas such as

  • access to internet services
  • digital education and skills necessary for people to take an active part in society and in democratic processes
  • human-centric digital public services and administration
  • digital health services
  • secure and trusted online environment
  • digital systems and devices that respect the environment
  • the protection and empowerment of children and young people in the online space
  • ethical principles for human centric algorithms

These principles will complement existing rights that already protect and empower Europeans online such as the protection of their personal data and privacy, freedom of expression, freedom to set up and conduct a business online or the protection of their intellectual creations.

Participants to the public consultation are also invited to propose alternative formulations or elaborate on other possible principles.

The consultation is open from 12 May to 2 September 2021 and is available in all EU languages.

Responses received after the closing date will not be considered. Earlier responses are encouraged.

Respond online

When responding online you may pause at any time and continue later. You can download a copy of your contribution once you have sent it.

The Commission also published a roadmap on this initiative on 12 May, which is available for feedback until 9 June 2021.

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