We submitted a joint letter with noyb.eu to the European Data Protection Board for its opinion in the Meta case
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) will soon issue its most important opinion to date: it will determine whether we still have a realistic option to protect our right to privacy online!
In November 2023, Meta adopted the “Pay or Okay” approach. Since then, users are forced to either pay a “privacy fee” of €251.88 per year or agree to be monitored. The supervisory authorities of the Netherlands, Norway and Hamburg have therefore requested a binding opinion from the EDPB on this issue.
If “Pay or Okay” is legalised, companies in all industry sectors could follow Meta’s lead – which could mean the end of real consent in the use of our data.
Homo Digitalis has now joined forces with 27 other civil society organisations including noyb.eu, Wikimedia Europe, Bits of Freedom and Forbrukerrådet/Norwegian Consumer Council to urge the EDPB to issue an opinion that protects our fundamental right to data protection!
You can read our joint letter here.
Educational Action of Homo Digitalis at the Music School of Larissa
In the context of Homo Digitalis’ actions for the awareness and information of students, our member Anastasios Arampatzis visited on February 9th the Music School of Larissa!
There, with more than 370 high school students, we discussed about digital bullying and ways of dealing with this phenomenon, as well as about our digital footprint and the rights provided by the legislation for the protection of personal data.
The discussion covered broader topics such as AI, the use of cameras, the ethics of using technology and more. The students have excellent knowledge on many topics but also have key questions and concerns to which they are seeking answers!
We would like to thank the Headmistress of the School, the Teachers’ Association and the EPAS Schools – Ambassadors of the European Parliament team for the invitation and hospitality!
5+ years of GDPR: Homo Digitalis comments on the European Commission's report
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was adopted in 2016 and became applicable on 25 May 2018.
It is the European Union’s key piece of legislation to protect the right to personal data protection. It is regarded as the most successful piece of legislation on this topic internationally, with many states using the GDPR as a basis for creating their own data protection legislation. The European Commission invited all stakeholders (public bodies, private companies, government agencies, civil society organisations, citizens, etc.) to provide feedback on the implementation of the GDPR over the years.
The comments will be used by the European Commission to prepare a report with the aim of evaluating the implementation of the GDPR and its possible improvement. This report is expected to be published in mid-2024. Homo Digitalis was actively involved in providing comments. You can read a compilation of Homo Digitalis’ comments here.
Many thanks to our members Christos Zanganas, Avgi Saoulidou, Danae Skevi and Konstantinos Kakavoulis for their participation in this process!
We participated in an event organised by the European AI & Society Fund and Civitates in Brussels
Homo Digitalis was delighted to participate in a joint event organised by the European AI & Society Fund and Civitates last week in Brussels.
Funders and grantee organisations had the opportunity to discuss in person the developments of the civil society ecosystem working on technology and society. We talked about current and upcoming policy changes and how we can better mobilise our network to address the challenges and shape a better future!
We were represented at the event by our Director for Human Rights & AI, Lamprini Gyftokosta!
Homo Digitalis speaks about the Safer Internet Day 2024 at Pyrgettos Gymnasium and Lyceum
Part A’
Today is Safer Internet Day and Homo Digitalis was once again in many different schools in Greece, completely voluntarily, to talk to students and teachers about our digital rights with the presentations “digital footprint” and “cyberbullying”.
Homo Digitalis and our member Anastasios Arabatzis visited Pyrgettos High School and Lyceum and we were surprised by the active participation and interest of the public in our activities.
Homo Digitalis talks about Safer Internet Day 2024 at the Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College - Psychico College Primary School.
Part B’
Today is Safer Internet Day and Homo Digitalis was once again in many different schools in Greece, completely voluntarily, to talk to students and teachers about our digital rights with the presentations “digital footprint” and “cyberbullying”.
Homo Digitalis and our members Kostas Kakavoulis, Lamprini Gyftokosta, Nikoleta Georgakopoulou and Ariana Rapti visited the elementary school of the Hellenic American Educational Foundation Athens College – Psychico College.
Our participation in the Privacy Camp in Brussels for another year
Last week we attended the Privacy Camp in Brussels, one of the most important annual meetings in the field of digital rights internationally, organized by European Digital Rights in collaboration with the Research Group on Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Privacy Salon, Institute for European Studies, ULB (IEE-ULB), Institute for Information Law (IViR) at UvA and the Racism and Technology Center!
There we had the pleasure to meet with EDRi network organisations and other civil society representatives, European institutions, academic institutions and other partners!
Homo Digitalis was represented at the meeting by our President, Elpida Vamvaka, and there we met with many of our members who participated in the meeting, including Alexandra Giannopoulou and Emilia Givropoulou.
We are organising a workshop for an innovative digital identity wallet in the framework of the PRIVÉ project
Homo Digitalis is a proud partner of the PRIVÉ project!
On 13 February at 18.00, we will host a workshop to present the solution developed within the project and have it evaluated by privacy-conscious end-users:
The EUDI wallet will revolutionise the way digital identity is handled in Europe. But how do we achieve widespread user adoption? Are privacy and trust important factors and are they sufficiently taken into account in the current EUDI architecture?
In response to these pressing questions, the PRIVÉ project is pleased to announce a webinar (hybrid) on 13 February 2024. This event will present an innovative solution for digital identity wallets that not only emphasizes strong privacy mechanisms, but also features seamless integration with the eIDAS and GDPR frameworks, setting a new benchmark for digital identity solutions.
13.02.2024, 18:00 Athens time
Three parallel sessions simultaneously:
-Athens.
-HERAKLEIO: at Bizrupt, Vikelas 34-36.
-Online session via Zoom
This webinar offers a unique, hands-on experience with PRIVÉ Wallet, inviting participants to engage directly with the technology through a real-life implementation scenario. We invite you to be part of its evolution. Your feedback on the usability of the wallet and your insights into the factors influencing the adoption of EUDI wallets by European citizens will be invaluable.
Join us in shaping the future of digital identity in Europe – a future where your identity is secure, your privacy is respected and your trust is earned.
You can learn more and register here.
Pro bono Educational Presentation at the Karavanas School in Larissa
Homo Digitalis continues its informative talks in schools pro bono!
Yesterday Anastasios Arampatzis spoke at the Karavanas School in Larissa on the topic of Digital Footprint. The speech was attended by 60 high school students.
We would like to thank the Director of the High School, Mrs. Lena Papakostouli, as well as Mrs. Zoe Goundela, the school’s IT teacher, who presented with us.
It was an excellent experience, with the active participation of the students, who deserve a big thumbs up!