European declaration on digital rights and principles

What is the European declaration on digital rights and principles?

The European declaration on digital rights and principles enshrines the EU’s commitment to an inclusive, fair, safe and sustainable digital transformation. Its objective is to define citizens’ rights in the digital space and develop a framework of principles which the EU and its member states agree to uphold.

The EU vision for digital transformation puts people at the centre, empowers individuals and fosters innovative businesses.

Preamble, European declaration on digital rights and principles for the digital decade

This declaration is the first of its kind in the world. It builds notably on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and complements it, reiterating relevant rights such as freedom of expression, data protection and privacy.

The declaration stipulates that EU values, as well as the rights and freedoms enshrined in the EU's legal framework, must be respected online as they are in the real world.

Principles of the declaration

The European declaration is shaped around six chapters.

People at the centre

Digital technologies should protect people’s rights, support democracy and ensure that all digital players act responsibly and safely.

Solidarity and inclusion

Technology should unite, not divide, people. Everyone should have access to the internet, to digital skills, to digital public services, and to fair working conditions.

Freedom of choice

People should benefit from a fair online environment, be safe from illegal and harmful content, and be empowered when they interact with new and evolving technologies like artificial intelligence.

Participation

Citizens should be able to engage in the democratic process at all levels and have control over their own data.

Safety and security

The digital environment should be safe and secure. All users, from children to the elderly, should be empowered and protected.

Sustainability

Digital devices should support sustainability and the green transition. People need to know about their devices’ environmental impact and energy consumption.

European digital rights and principles (European Commission)

The Council’s work on the declaration

The European Commission’s communication ‘2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade’ of 9 March 2021 presented the vision for a digitally transformed Europe by 2030 in line with European values.

In a statement dated 25 March 2021, EU leaders underlined the importance of digital transformation for the EU’s growth, prosperity, security and competitiveness, and for the well-being of our societies. The European Council highlighted the communication on the digital compass as an important step towards mapping Europe’s digital development for the next decade.

In December 2021, telecommunications ministers discussed digital rights and principles in the EU with a view to an interinstitutional declaration, as announced in the digital compass. Ministers expressed strong support for a declaration to emphasise that the same fundamental rights are equally valid online as they are offline.

The Commission presented a proposal for a declaration in January 2022. Interinstitutional negotiations were concluded in November 2022. The Council adopted the declaration on 5 December 2022.

The declaration was signed by the Presidents of the Commission, the Parliament and the Council on 15 December 2022.

2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade (European Commission)