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What we do

To live together in freedom and equality, we need a strong democracy governed by the rule of law. The power of technology must be held by people striving to fulfil those conditions. This is what Bits of Freedom works for.

How we work

The power of technology in the service of the state under the rule of law. But how? We distinguish five change processes:

  1. Through research we reinforce our knowledge position and that of affected communities on digital wrongdoings.
  2. Through movement building we intensify the impact of social actors on decisions about technology.
  3. Through communication and campaigns we make the actual impact of digitization accessible, mobilizing broad opposition.
  4. Through lobbying we make sure that the law offers the best possible protection for people.
  5. Through legal actions we call corporations and governments to account and put an end to harmful practices.

What we focus on

In a digital society, the rights to privacy and freedom of communication are essential to increase the power of the people, while curtailing that of governments and corporations. With a special focus on those rights we commit to the following four, overlapping, programs from 2025 through 2027.

Young people and technology: It is key for young people to be able to grow in freedom. Just as important is that all young people should get the same opportunities. We will strive first of all for laws on young people online. We will stop measures that restrict the online freedom of movement of young people, while encouraging measures that protect young people against surveillance, manipulation, exploitation and discrimination facilitated by technology.

Young people should be protected against the state also. The profiling and discriminating of young people by the government should end. And finally, we should like to see more young people involved in the designing of technology laws and policies that affect them.

Security: These past years the government has assumed more and more power. In the form of new competences and technological tools, but also in the form of information. Government organizations increasingly process data on citizens, which makes it possible to "better" differentiate, steer and control those citizens. While governments become ever more powerful and untransparent, hiding behind spreadsheets and algorithms, citizens get squeezed.

Our main ambition is that in the social domain only social algorithms are used. The government should stop discriminating people intentionally and unintentionally based on data processing. Moreover, we want the government to stop discrediting and surveilling innocent citizens. Lastly, we want organizations that support people directly and thus know what challenges people face, to weigh in on the government's data policy.

Civic space: In a democracy governed by the rule of law, civic space is vital to safeguard and promote such democracy. Social actors should be able to move freely, and the law must protect and facilitate these actors.

That is why we campaign for less Big Tech and more pluriformity in the information landscape, by resisting two extremely harmful Big Tech tactics: The profiling advertising engine and the manipulative design practices. We also guard against government interference: Big Tech cannot and may not become a one-stop shop for surveillance of our communication. Lastly, we oppose laws and policies that curb the space in which foundations and associations operate.

Bodily integrity: Everyone is the boss of their own body. And we should all be the boss of the data on our own bodies. We investigate the intertwining of the profiling advertising industry and health apps. Also, we mobilize people against corporations that develop products based on our body data. Just think of facial recognition systems, deep fakes or "smart" cameras that can classify people in the street. We call those corporations to account. Finally, it is our ambition to get a broad movement off the ground against the exploitation of our bodies.

Files

In our files, you will find a concise overview of the current situation, articles, relevant links and more for each topic.

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Biometric surveillance

     

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Awareness and action

We work to strengthen people’s understanding of technology and civil society’s ability to respond to technological developments.

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Data justice

The careless use of data and algorithms can reinforce inequality and compromise legal certainty. Strong regulation and oversight can protect people against these harms.

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Freedom of communication

Our current online communication ecosystem, characterized by a few overly-dominant platforms and closely interwoven with the tracking-based advertising industry, frustrates civil society’s ability to hold power accountable and put forward new ideas and bold alternatives.

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Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence and algorithms are used for automated decision-making. That doesn’t always go right. And if it goes wrong, the consequences for citizens can be far-reaching. We believe that whenever technology is used, fundamental rights should be protected, decisions should always be transparent and verifiable and there should be close and effective supervision.

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Your data

As internet users it is next to impossible not to leave a breadcrumb trail of data online. Not just Google and Facebook but companies from almost all sectors as well as governments use those data to make profiles of people. Based on those profiles they predict and influence your behavior. Bits of Freedom is very critical of this development.

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Big Brother Awards

Every year Bits of Freedom hands out the Big Brother Awards to spotlight individuals, corporations or governments that have committed gross violations of the privacy and/or freedom of communication of citizens.

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Platforms

A small number of platforms has become extremely dominant. Examples are Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. All well-known services, all controlled by an even smaller number of corporations: Big Tech. These are so dominant that we have become dependent on them. It is not an option not to have an account with Google, WhatsApp or Instagram. After all, you and your colleagues use Google Docs at work, all your neighbors are on WhatsApp and you use Instagram to promote your new beats. It is like being held hostage by those services. And they set the rules!

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State surveillance

Government surveillance needs to be targeted, predictable and come with strong oversight and safeguards.

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Do-it-yourself

We keep a close eye on corporations and governments that put our freedom and privacy at risk. But we also help you take control. Being online safely and freely does not have to be hard.

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Encryption

Encryption is a way to protect digital data, making it possible to use the internet safely. Encryption makes sure the messages you send by WhatsApp or Signal remain confidential, helps protect journalistic sources and enables safe online banking. It is an important tool in our democracy ruled by law and our day-to-day freedom of communication.

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Police

The police are responsible for protecting us against malicious people. An increasing portion of our lives is related to the internet. The police need investigative means to do their work, both offline and online. But they should do their work within the limits set by our democracy under the rule of law. Compliance with those limits should be closely monitored. Bits of Freedom, too, monitors, especially everything related to the internet.

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Security services

Security services are entrusted with defending our free and open society. To that end they may use far-reaching powers. Powers that must be effective yet at the same time must be used within the limits set by our democracy under the rule of law. Those powers are wielded in secret, and occasionally with drastic implications. For the security of our digital infrastructure, or because the security services use those powers to collect data on a large scale. That is why close supervision of the secret services’ activities is essential. Bits of Freedom guards our internet freedom and online privacy. We monitor the activities of the security services and those of the regulating authorities.

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