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English
The Dutch police has to show restraint, but seems to be unable
In 1995 the police was one of the parties that started the BOB (don’t drink and drive) campaign. She called for showing restraint. The campaign is still going strong. But restraint is exactly what the police herself struggles to show. Evelyn wrote the following blog about this, that was the introduction to our monthly newsletter.
Op-ed: Lawsuits and legislation are necessary in the fight against addicting apps
We shared our position with the Commision for Digital Affairs from the Dutch House of Representatives and the Commision for Digitalisation from the Dutch Senate.
Letter to Meta: stop arbitrary account suspensions
Today, and together with organisations from the broad LGBTQIA+ community, we sent a demand letter to Meta. In it, we demand that Meta stops blocking accounts without offering proper reasoning and without offering the opportunity to challenge those decisions. By neglecting to do so, Meta is in breach of the law.
Karin Spaink, co-founder of Bits of Freedom, passed away
Karin leaves a unique Karin-sized hole behind, but most of all an enormous richness of ideas and inspiration, and an implicit instruction to everyone to live with courage and on their own terms.
You weary giants of flesh and steel
In 1996, John Perry Barlow wrote the influential “A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace”. It has been 30 years, but the fight to be naturally independent on the internet is still going on today. Evelyn wrote the following blog about this, that was also the introduction to our monthly newsletter.
The Netherlands should remind the European Commission which side they are one
We shared our position with the Commision for Digital Affairs from the Dutch House of Representatives and the Commision for Digitalisation from the Dutch Senate.
Stay up to date: Our monthly English newsletter
Every second Friday of the month, we send out an English newsletter. In it, there is an introduction by our CEO Evelyn about a subject that caught her eye this month, along with a link to translated articles we published that month. The articles are translated by our lovely group of volunteers. A warm thank you to them all!
Want to stay informed about the threats and victories for an open and free Internet? Subscribe via the link below!
We filed a request for enforcement with regards to Snapchat
Bits of Freedom has filed a request for enforcement with the Authority on Consumers and Markets (ACM) centred around manipulative design in notifications sent by Snapchat.
Meta’s users know best what information they want to receive
Our lawsuit against Meta is keeping us very busy. Evelyn wrote the following piece, which previously appeared as a foreword in our monthly English newsletter.
Judge grants Meta limited postponement in Bits of Freedom lawsuit
In early October, digital human rights organization Bits of Freedom sued Meta. The organization demanded that Meta gives its users on apps, such as Instagram and Facebook, the option to select a feed that is not based on profiling. The judge ruled in favor of Bits of Freedom and ordered Meta to modify its apps within two weeks. Meta claimed that this was impossible and asked the Amsterdam Court of Appeal for a postponement. The court has now ruled that Meta will indeed be granted such a postponement.
Meta fails to comply with court order, evades accountability
Meta is ignoring a court order requiring Meta to make its non-profiling feed directly and easily accessible. According to the digital human rights organization Bits of Freedom, this is yet another example of Meta avoiding its social responsibility.
Judge in the Bits of Freedom vs. Meta lawsuit: Meta must respect users’ choice
Today, the judge issued a ruling in the summary proceedings brought by digital human rights organization Bits of Freedom against Meta. The organization demanded that Meta gives its users, on apps such as Instagram and Facebook, the option to select a feed that is not based on profiling.
Update in our case against Meta: verdict follows October 2nd
Today is the day! No, today was the day. Last week, we reported that we expect the verdict in our case against Meta today. This has now been postponed to October 2. We are still waiting eagerly.
Our dependence on Big Tech is no coincidence
Every free service you take from Big Tech is an investment by Big Tech in your dependency. Is there another way? Yes, there is.
Call to the Dutch government: prioritize the democratic rule of law, our freedom, security and digital autonomy
The Dutch government has recently fallen. During this government’s term, it has failed to address key challenges. Trust in government has been further damaged, democratic institutions have not been strengthened, and our security and autonomy have declined.