Eleftherios Chelioudakis of Homo Digitalis as a Trainer in a second OSCE ODIHR Training on Personal Data & Border Management
From October 29 to 31, Eleftherios Chelioudakis, our Co-founder and Executive Director, participated as a trainer in a training session organized by the international organization OSCE, specifically its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The training explored the use of new technologies at international borders, as well as the risks and opportunities they pose for Human Rights.
In our five presentations, we focused on the technologies used at borders, the Human Rights impacted by these uses, the provisions of the GDPR and Directive 2016/680 LED, the significant decision by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA) regarding the “KENTAYROS” and “YPERION” systems, as well as technical tools that human rights defenders can use in their work!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the participants for their dynamic presence, to the team of outstanding trainers Nikola Kovačević, Djordje Alempijevic, and Arancha Garcia del Soto for their knowledge and expertise, and to the organizing team, Lola Girard and Veronica Grazzi, for their impeccable organization and contributions. It is a great honor for us to participate!
You can learn more here.
We publish our first detailed study of the AI Act and the provisions of the FRIAs
Homo Digitalis publishes today its first Study on the European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence entitled “Artificial Intelligence Act: Analysis and proposals for the incorporation of the provisions on fundamental rights impact assessment in Greece”.
The authors of this first Study are our member Sophia Antonopoulou and Homo Digitalis’ Director of Human Rights & Artificial Intelligence, Lamprini Gyftokosta.
The Study is the first of a series of analyses that we will be publishing in the near future on various important provisions of the AI Regulation, which aim both to inform decision makers in Greece about important provisions of the AI Act in order to assist in its successful implementation, and to frame the public debate on AI in Greece by providing specific arguments and proposals.
The focus of the first Homo Digitalis Study is to highlight some critical issues raised by the implementation of the provisions on AI in the Fundamental Rights (FRR), from the perspective of civil society. Besides, it aims to contribute constructively to the public debate by proposing concrete solutions for an effective impact assessment process with regard to high-risk AI systems.
In summary, the main conclusions of the Study include the following concerns:
- The exclusion from the obligation to carry out NRAs of AI systems used exclusively by private services.
- The complete lack of sanctions for those who violate the provisions on TDRs.
- The ambiguities and interpretative gaps regarding how to carry out an ERA, the updating of data and the re-conducting of an ERA, the risk assessment and proposed measures, the notification of the market surveillance authority and the exemptions from such notification of the market surveillance authority; and
- The lack of transparency in the use of AI systems and the preparation of SIAs in the areas of law enforcement, migration and asylum management and border control.
It also summarises the proposals for improvement in five key points that are crucial for the effective protection of fundamental rights against any violations of AI systems:
- It is proposed to exercise discretion under Article 99(2) and to introduce sanctions for non-compliance with the provisions on AI practices. It is further proposed that the relevant sanctions should be on the same scale as those for non-compliance with the prohibition of AI practices under Article 99(3) of the Regulation.
- It is proposed to establish detailed governance arrangements with clear procedures for handling complaints and appeals and to ensure stakeholder participation in the Greek law that will incorporate the Regulation.
- Amend Law 4780/2021, the provisions of which govern the functioning of the National Human Rights Commission to assume the role under Article 77 of the Regulation under certain conditions.
- In addition to the template for conducting a NCHR, it is necessary to develop guidelines, including an extensive analysis of Recital 96,Articles 6(2), 27, 43, 46, 49 and 77 of the AI Regulation.
You can read the Homo Digitalis Study in detail here.
The fourth open call of NGI TALER is here! Submit your application!
The fourth open call of NGI TALER is here! Submit your application!
Got a groundbreaking idea for free software and privacy preserving projects that complement our mission as NGI TALER? Missed our first three funding calls? No worries!
NGI TALER’s 4th Open Call is live since 1st of October and you’ve got almost two month to apply. The deadline is 1st of December, 12:00 CET (noon).
We’re on the lookout for proposals that will revolutionize digital payment systems and contribute to an open, trustworthy, and reliable internet for all.
NGI TALER is offering funding between 5,000 and 50,000 euros! Whether you’re a SME, academic, public sector entity, nonprofit, community, or an individual – we want your innovative ideas!
For example, you can enhance GNU Taler by developing auxiliary tools, improving user experience,creating integrations into FOSS applications (think P2P micropayments in instant messaging, social media platforms, or video conferencing tools), or boosting infrastructure components (like merchant backends), to name a few ideas.
For more info about this and other NGI funding calls, you can visit the NGI – The Next Generation Internet’s website here.
You can read the detailed Open Call, Guide for Applicants, Eligibility Requirements, and FAQs on NLnet Foundation’s website here
Last but not least, you can join our TALER Integration Community Hub (TALER ICH) to discuss and get your questions answered here.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!
NGI TALER is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Elpida Vamvakas' speech at the 52nd Book Festival is now available on video!
Homo Digitalis has the great honor to be present at the 52nd Book Festival that took place at Pedion Tou Areos.
Specifically, on Thursday, September 19, our co-founder and President Elpida Vamvaka participated as a speaker in a round table organized at the main stage of the festival by the Association of Book Publishers (S.E.B.) & the Hellenic Comics Academy on the topic “Is art written with AI?”
The discussion was moderated by Panagiotis Papageorgiou (Lawyer, Member of the Greek Comics Academy) and Dimitris Doukoglou (illustrator, presenter, stand-up comedian). Other roundtable speakers include Vassilis Vlahokyrikakos (Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction) , Abraham Kawa (Author, Translator & Theorist of Culture) and George Nathaniel (IT and Management Consultant).
The videographer of the event is Dimitrios Bournous and we would like to thank him for the material he shared with us in this regard.
Watch the full statement from Hope here.
Homo Digitalis participates in the European Commission Plenary meeting on the AI Act
September ended with important meetings for Homo Digitalis in the context of the European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI Act) at European level!
Specifically, on September 30th we participated online in the first meeting organized by the AI Office of the European Commission regarding the development of a Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI Systems “Kick-off Plenary: Code of Practice for General-Purpose AI”.
Homo Digitalis has been selected to participate in the relevant working groups that will be formed in order to collaborate with Civil Society organisations and other stakeholders in the coming months in this mission to develop this Code.
We were represented at the online meeting by our Director for AI and Human Rights Lamprini Gyftokosta and our co-founder Eleftherios Chelioudakis.
Homo Digitalis spoke at the Tech & Society Summit in Brussels
Last Tuesday 1/10, Homo Digitalis was in Brussels, participating at the Tech and Society Summit co-organised together with the European Digital Rights and more than other 40 organisations!
This event aimed to bring civil society’s voices to the forefront of EU’s digital policy debates. Together we are building this space to create a bridge between digital rights organisations and new policymakers to achieve accountable, people-focused policies that advance everyone’s digital rights.
Eleftherios Chelioudakis, represented us in the Summit speaking at the session “Visionary Round-table: Building an EU Digital Enforcement Strategy” organised by BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation and moderated by European Digital Rights’ Itxaso Domínguez de Olazábal! It was a unique opportunity for us to share our enforcement actions aiming at facilitating redress of harmed individuals in Greece!
Also, we actively participated in the Round-table Fundamental Rights in focus: Joint efforts for Spyware Regulation in the EU, organised by Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe and Amnesty International, sharing insights from the latest developments of the PREDATOR scandal in Greece and the related legislative initiatives of the Greek State.
We would like to sincerely thank the organizers for inviting Homo Digitalis to participate and share our views and actions on these important topics!
We prepared an explanatory video on the Greek DPA's Decision on the new ID cards
On Monday 23/9 the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (DPA) issued Decision 32/2024, which relates to the new identity cards for Greek citizens.
The Authority found deficiencies regarding the provision of general information to data subjects, and further found that the required data protection impact assessment was carried out late and deficient. For these reasons, it imposed an administrative fine of EUR 150,000 on the Ministry of Citizen Protection, as controller, for the above infringements, while at the same time it issued a compliance order to the Ministry within six months. Finally, the Authority pointed out the obligation to update and codify the legal framework regarding the details of the new type of identity cards for Greek citizens.
The Decision 32/2024 of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority is available here.
The Homo Digitalis team has prepared a short explanatory video in plain language to highlight some important points of this Decision.
The video is available here.
We co-organize and participate in the Tech & Society Summit in Brussels
The Tech and Society Summit is approaching and will take place on Tuesday, 1st October in Brussels! This exciting conference, co-organized by EDRi in collaboration with Homo Digitalis and over 40 other organizations, will bring together leading experts, policymakers, and human rights advocates to discuss the intersection of technology and societal impacts in Europe. The summit will cover critical issues, ranging from digital rights and climate change to AI regulations, contributing to the shaping of a fair and equitable digital future for all.
We are excited that Eleftherios Chelioudakis will represent Homo Digitalis as a speaker at the session Visionary Roundtable: Building an EU Digital Enforcement Strategy. With important laws such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Digital Services Act (DSA), and AI Act, Eleftherios will highlight the actions of Homo Digitalis, discussing how these regulations can effectively protect rights and boost Europe’s competitiveness in the digital space.
Additionally, Homo Digitalis has been invited to participate in the session Fundamental Rights in Focus: Joint Efforts for Spyware Regulation in the EU, co-organized by the Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe (CDT Europe) and Amnesty International. In this session, key policymakers and civil society representatives will meet to explore ways to regulate spyware in the EU, and we will discuss our experiences from the latest related developments in Greece.
You can read more about the Tech and Society Summit and view its program here.
Homo Digitalis met with representatives of the Ministry of Digital Governance for the national implementation of the AI Act
September started with important meetings for Homo Digitalis in the context of the European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (AI Act) at national level!
Specifically, on September 4, we had the honor to meet with the Ministry of Digital Governance and its representatives Mr. Vassilis Karkatzounis and Mr. Papagiotis Papaspiliopoulos in order to exchange views on the implementation of the AI Act in Greece. We were represented at the meeting by our Director for AI and Human Rights issues Lamprini Gyftokosta and our co-founder Eleftherios Chelioudakis. We would like to thank the representatives of the Ministry for their positive response to our request for a meeting, the and the very fruitful dialogue!
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)