EDRi Convenes EU Lawmakers for Public Interest Tech Summit
Civil society organizations announced a strategic convening on Thursday, bringing together European lawmakers, regulators, journalists, and key civil society voices to forge a vision for tech laws and practices that center public interest, data protection, and other rights. The summit, titled "Fight for Us, not for Them," is organized by European Digital Rights (EDRi) and aims to push back against what the group describes as mounting pressure on Europe's approach to digital governance.
Pressure on Digital Protections
"Europe's approach to governance for advancing technology in the digital age is under pressure, with 'simplification' proposals hitting the heart of core digital protections," EDRi said in a statement announcing the event. The group, a network of civil rights organizations across the continent, has been a vocal critic of recent European Commission efforts to streamline tech regulations, arguing that the push for efficiency risks weakening safeguards for user privacy and data security.
The summit comes as Brussels debates the future of landmark digital rules, including the Digital Services Act and the General Data Protection Regulation, with some policymakers calling for lighter oversight to boost innovation. EDRi and allied groups contend that such "simplification" would erode hard-won protections for millions of European citizens.
Strategic Convening Details
The event is designed as a working meeting, not a public conference, with the goal of producing concrete policy recommendations. Participants will include regulators from the European Commission and national authorities, members of the European Parliament, journalists covering technology policy, and representatives from digital rights organizations across the EU.
EDRi said the summit's title reflects a core message: that technology policy should serve the public, not corporate interests. The organization has previously warned that industry lobbying has shaped EU tech rules in ways that benefit large platforms at the expense of user rights.
Broader Context
The announcement arrives at a critical juncture for European digital policy. The European Commission has proposed several "omnibus" simplification packages aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, which critics say would weaken enforcement of existing digital protections. EDRi has documented dozens of cases where proposed changes would reduce transparency requirements for algorithms, limit user appeal rights, and narrow the definition of illegal content.
The summit is scheduled to take place later this year, with organizers planning to release a joint declaration and set of policy demands following the meeting. EDRi said the gathering represents a coordinated effort by civil society to ensure that the next phase of EU tech regulation prioritizes fundamental rights over market competitiveness.