COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Report on the stakeholder consultation and engagement activities Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Establishing a European Declaration on Digital rights and principles for the Digital Decade
Date: 2022-01-26
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission
Subjects: artificial intelligence, consumer protection, data protection, digital literacy, digital single market, digital transformation, fundamental rights, information security, innovation, sustainable development

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 26.1.2022  SWD(2022) 14 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Report on the stakeholder consultation and engagement activities Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Establishing a European Declaration on Digital rights and principles for the Digital Decade {COM(2022) 27 final}  
 
 
Table of contents 

I. The stakeholder consultation and engagement activities  

Scope and objectives of the consultation and engagement activities 

1.1. 
1.2.  Mapping of stakeholders 
1.3. 

The conducted consultation and engagement activities 

II. Feedback on the roadmap on the initiative 

2.1.  When was the roadmap published, and what were its objectives? 
2.2.   Who provided feedback on the roadmap? 
2.3.   What were the general suggestions in the feedback from respondents? 
2.4.  What were specific suggestions from respondents? 

p. 2 

p. 5 

III. The public consultation on a set of digital principles  

p. 10 

3.1.   When was the public consultation launched, and what were its objectives? 
3.2.  Who participated in the public consultation? 
3.3.  What were the main suggestions and messages from respondents to the public 

consultation? 

3.4  What were suggestions from respondents on the proposed principles under the 

3.5 

nine specific areas of the public consultation? 
Feedback and suggestions from respondents for additional principles beyond the 
nine specific areas of the public consultation? 

IV. Eurobarometer survey on ‘Digital rights and principles’ 

p. 20 

4.1  What was the main aim of the Eurobarometer survey, and who participated? 
4.2  What were the main findings of the Eurobarometer survey?  
4.3  What are the main conclusions of the Eurobarometer survey? 

V. Other consultation and engagement activities   

p. 23 

The ‘Leading the Digital Decade’ event  

5.1 
5.2  Workshops with civil society  
5.3 
5.4 

Targeted consultation with local and regional authorities 
Targeted consultation with children and teachers on ‘How to make   
Europe’s Digital Decade fit for children and young people?’ 

p. 23 
p. 23 
p. 26 

p. 28 

5.5  Targeted interviews with some relevant organisations and  

stakeholders 

p. 30 

VI. Desk analysis of initiatives on digital principles by other organisations 

p. 33 

Annex I – Overview on the stakeholders that participated to the public consultation,  
and/or provided feedback to the roadmap  

p.38 

Annex II – Overview on the example principles of the Eurobarometer  

p.40 

Annex III - Overview on the analysed initiatives on digital rights and principles 

p. 42 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  THE STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES  

1.1. Scope and objectives of the consultation and engagement activities 

The Commission launched on 12 May 2021 a broad consultation and engagement exercise on 
the formulation of a set of digital rights and principles to promote and uphold EU values in 
the digital space.1 This consultation and engagement exercise aimed at collecting the views of 
all interested citizens and stakeholders.  

The consultation activities had primarily the following objectives:  

(1)  bring  the  initiative  to  the  attention  of  stakeholders  and  measure  support  for  the 
establishment of a clear set of digital rights and principles;  

(2)  collect  concrete  feedback,  opinions  and  views  on  the  formulation  of  specific 
digital rights and principles.    

More broadly, stakeholders were also invited to share their experiences and suggestions beyond 
the above consultation scope and objectives.  

The results of the consultation  activities were taken into account  as input to  the proposal  for a 
European Declaration on Digital  rights  and principles of the European Parliament, the Council 
and the Commission. 

1.2. Mapping of stakeholders 

A  stakeholder  mapping  was  conducted,  and  the  following  stakeholders  were  identified  as 
particularly relevant for the consultation and engagement exercise: 

1)  Member States authorities, at national, regional and local level, including cities, 
2)  Non-governmental and civil society organisations, in particular those that represent the 

interests of, and/or interact with vulnerable citizens, 

3)  Digital rights organisations focusing on the defending and advancing digital rights and 

freedoms in the online environment, 

4)  Social partners that represent the interests of workers and employers both at European 

and national level, 

5)  Consumer organisations that defend and represent the interest of consumers 
6)  Business  associations  /  organisations  and  companies,  including  small  and  medium-

sized enterprises, 

7)  Other digital stakeholders such as for example researchers / academia, and international 

and umbrella organisations,  

8)  Citizens  in  their  capacity  as  main  beneficiaries  of  a  possible  set  of  European  digital 

principles, but also as interested or concerned individuals.  

The  stakeholder  consultation  strategy  further  indicated  that  particular  effort  would  be 
undertaken to understand the views of relevant sub-categories of citizens that are not easily 
reached by traditional consultation tools – e.g. children and young people, vulnerable people, 
people living in rural areas, persons with disabilities, elderly people. 

1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_2288  

2 

 
 
                                                           
Next to the mapping of these stakeholders, an overview of the presumed interest and expertise in 
the subject matter was established: 

Table 1 – Mapping of stakeholders 

Stakeholders 
Member States authorities, regional and 
local authorities, including cities 
Non-governmental and civil society 
organisations 
Digital rights organisations 
Social partners 
Consumer organisations 
Business associations/organisations and 
companies, including SMEs 
Other digital stakeholders 
Citizens 

Interest  

Expertise 

Relevance 

High 
High 

High 
High 
High 
High 

Medium 
Medium 

High 
High 

High 
High 
High 
Medium 

Medium 
Medium  

High 
High 

High 
High 
High 
Medium 

Medium  
High 

1.3. The conducted consultation and engagement activities  

In line with the consultation strategy, the following consultation activities were organised: 

Roadmap  –  the  roadmap  on  the  ‘Declaration  of  Digital  rights  and  principles  –  the 
‘European  way’  for  the  digital  society’  was  published  on  12  May  2021,  and  remained 
open for feedback until 16 June 2021. Stakeholders and citizens were invited to provide 
feedback  on  the  initiative,  and  in  particular  on  the  objectives  and  key  areas  for  digital 
principles. In total, 46 feedback entries were collected. 

Public  Consultation  –  the  public  consultation  on  a  set  of  European  Digital  Principles 
took  place  between  12  May  and  6  September  2021,  and  was  made  available  in  all  24 
official  EU  languages,  ensuring  that  the  public  consultation  was  accessible  to  as  many 
stakeholders  as  possible,  especially  citizens.  The  main  aim  of  the  consultation  was  to 
collect  views  from  various  stakeholders  such  as  citizens  on  a  list  of  possible  digital 
principles.  

Eurobarometer – The Eurobarometer survey was carried out by an external contractor in 
the 27 EU Member States between the 16th of September and 15th of October 2021. The 
consultation was directed at citizens and aimed to consult on the perception on the future 
of  digital  tools  and  the  internet,  the  protection  and  application  of  rights  in  the  online 
environment, and their views on establishing a common European vision to digital rights 
and  principles.  In  total,  26  530  EU  citizens  from  all  EU  Member  States,  and  from 
different social and demographic groups were interviewed in their mother tongue.  

High-level  event  ‘Leading  the  Digital  Decade’  –  This  event  was  co-organised  by  the 
European  Commission  and  the  Portuguese  Presidency  of  the  Council  of  the  European 
Union,  and  focused  on  Europe’s  digital  transformation  towards  2030.  It  was  held 
virtually on 1 and 2 June 2021, and had a dedicated high-level panel session on ‘Digital 
Principles – defining the European way’.  

Workshops  with  civil  society  and  other  relevant  organisations  –  two  dedicated 
workshops  were  organised  with  civil  society  and  other  relevant  organisations.  The 
workshops  took  place  on  22  and  28  September  2021,  and  aimed  to  collect  views  of 
different categories of citizens through relevant organisations that interact with them on a 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
daily  basis,  and/or  have  a  very  good  understanding  of  their  needs  in  the  digital 
environment. 

Targeted consultation with local and regional authorities  – the targeted consultation 
was organised by the ECON secretariat of the Committee of the Regions, and took place 
between  14  July  until  10  October  2021.  This  parallel  consultation  aimed  to  understand 
the  views  from  local  and  regional  authorities  on  the  principles  as  put  forward  in  the 
public  consultation  and  on  some  additional,  more  detailed  principles  suggested  by  the 
ECON secretariat on the basis of past opinions and consultative work of the Committee 
of the Regions.  

Targeted consultation on ‘How to make Europe’s Digital Decade fit for children and 
young people?’ – The targeted consultation was organised by an external contractor from 
March  to  August  2021,  and  directed  at  children,  young  people,  parents,  carers,  and 
educators  across  (and  beyond)  the  EU.  It  aimed  to  consult  on  the  priorities  they  see  to 
promote, respect and fulfil children’s rights in the digital world, and what they believe are 
key opportunities and challenges. 

Targeted interviews with some relevant organisations and stakeholders – A round of 
interviews  was  organised,  with  the  support  of  an  external  contractor.  Interviewed 
organisations  included  companies,  business  associations,  public  authorities  and  external 
stakeholders.  The  interviews  took  place  in  October  and  November  2021,  and  aimed  to 
understand the relevance of a set of digital principles for these organisations, the potential 
opportunities  that  they  could  bring,  and  the  role  that  these  organisations  consider  for 
themselves  in  promoting  and  helping  with  the  implementation  of  a  set  of  digital 
principles.  

4 

 
 
 
 
 
2.  FEEDBACK  ON  THE  ROADMAP  ON  THE EUROPEAN DECLARATION  ON DIGITAL 

RIGHTS AND PRINCIPLES  

2.1. When was the roadmap published, and what were its objectives? 

The  European  Commission  published  on  12  May  2021,  a  roadmap  on  the  Declaration  of 
Digital  rights  and  principles.2  The  main  aim  of  the  roadmap  was  to  provide  the  first 
opportunity for the Commission to inform citizens and stakeholders why the Declaration on 
Digital rights and principles was being prepared, and what it aims to achieve.   

Stakeholders and citizens were invited to provide feedback on the initiative, and in particular 
on the objectives and key areas for digital rights and principles. The feedback period lasted 
for five weeks, from 12 May 2021 to 16 June 2021. 

2.2. Who provided feedback on the roadmap?  

In total, 46 feedback entries were collected. The highest number of entries were received from 
Belgium  (14  entries,  30%)3,  followed  by  Spain  (7,  or  15%),  and  Germany  (5,  or  11%).  Non-
governmental  organisations  (NGOs)  were  the  most  represented  stakeholder  type  (18,  or  39%) 
followed by EU citizens (10, or 22%) and business associations (8, or 17%).  

Figure 1 shows the entries split by 
country  and  by  user  type.  The 
high  number  of  entries  from 
Belgium  can  be  explained  by  the 
location of stakeholder groups and 
associations.  Next  to  this  interest 
of  Belgium-based  organisations, 
several  Spanish  organisations 
provided  feedback  and  referred 
to the similar ongoing exercise on 
the Spanish Digital Charter.  

There  were  3  feedback  entries 
from  countries  outside  of  the  EU 
(Albania and the United States) all 
of which are from NGOs. 

Figure 1 - Overview of roadmap feedback 
entries per country and per stakeholder type 

2 The roadmap, and feedback can be retrieved on the Have your say page of the initiative:  https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-
regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13017-Declaration-of-Digital-Principles-the-%E2%80%98European-way%E2%80%99-for-
the-digital-society  
3 This high number from Belgium can be explained by the location of stakeholder groups and associations. 

5 

 
 
                                                           
2.3. What were the general suggestions in the feedback from respondents? 

The large majority of respondents welcomed the initiative to come forward with a European 
Declaration  on  Digital  rights  and  principles  that  would  set  out  principles  to  define  the 
digital society in the European way. Some of them also provided general suggestions to inform 
the writing of the declaration: 

  Several respondents welcomed and encouraged to focus the principles on the wellbeing 
of  people,  and  society  in  general.  Furthermore,  some  of  them  also  flagged  the 
importance  to  formulate  the  principles  in  a  language  that  is  understandable  and 
related closely enough to citizens and other relevant actors in society. 

  Several respondents elaborated on the interplay of principles with rights, and several of 
them  (namely  the  digital  rights  organisations)  indicate  a  preference  of  legal  obligations 
over  principles.  They  further  indicated  that  principles  can  and  should  complement 
legal  obligations,  but  should  not  replace  or  undermine  legal  obligations.  Some 
stakeholders  also  indicate  that  it  is  important  to  clarify  that  a  Declaration  on  digital 
principles would not establish new rights.  

2.4. What were specific suggestions in the feedback from respondents? 

Responses to the roadmap were analysed, and six key topics4 that were identified as recurring in 
several feedback submissions. The themes were the following:  

(i) 

Inclusiveness  –  mentioned  by  non-governmental  organisations  representing 
vulnerable people but also other stakeholders such as public authorities, and business 
organisations.  

These respondents elaborated further by referring to a digital divide between those who have 
benefitted  from  digital  transformation  and  those  who  have  not.  Several  of  them  indicated 
that digitalisation goes too fast for certain people, and risks to create more inequalities and even 
discrimination – they referred to specific groups such as citizens living in rural areas, elderly 
persons, children, persons with disabilities or underprivileged persons. Several respondents 
focused  in  their  feedback  specifically  on  the  importance,  and  lack  of  accessible  digital 
technologies for persons with disabilities. They indicated that this is leading to adverse effects 
on education and employment opportunities.  

Some respondents (business organisations, NGOs and a citizen) also indicated the importance of 
having access to a high-quality internet connectivity and the protection of a free and open 
internet as key components. Other respondents also indicated that non-digital access to public 
services  should  continue  to  subsist,  in  particular  for  persons  with  specific  needs,  low  digital 
skills or elderly persons. 

(ii) 

Digital  education  and  skills  –  mentioned  by  public  authorities,  business 
organisations but also citizens and non-governmental organisations. 

4 These six recurring topics were derived by using topic modelling.  

6 

 
 
                                                           
A large number of respondents emphasised that digital literacy, education and skills should be 
a key area for digital principles, in order to ensure that everyone has at least a basic level of 
proficiency that is required to interact in a digital society and economy.  

On  this  point,  several  respondents  indicated  that  a  basic  understanding  of  the  digital 
environment is key to participate and interact in today’s society (and for example to access 
public services, to engage with governments in a digital society). Some respondents (companies 
and  business  organisations)  focused  on  aspects  of  life-long  learning,  up-  and  re-skilling  of 
workers,  expert  training  in  digital  technologies,  support  for  entrepreneurs  and  start-ups, 
and education that prepare youngsters to work in a digital environment.   

(iii)  Children – mentioned by non-governmental organisations but also other respondents 

such as business organisations. 

Several  respondents  emphasised  the  importance  of  digital  education  from  an  early  age  in 
order  to  best  prepare  children  for  the  digital  future.  Some  of  them  elaborated  further  by 
indicating that a large number of schools are overwhelmed, and need support on the level of 
infrastructure but also encouragement to move to new technologies and teaching methods.  

An often-recurring aspect that is discussed by some respondents (notably NGOs) is the need to 
protect  minors  from  negative  effects  of  the  online  environment,  cautioning  for  example 
against  the  impact  of  intensive  use  of  digital  technologies  and  social  media  on  the  mental 
wellbeing of children, or referring to the protection of children, particularly in relation to child 
sexual abuse material, and online exploitation. 

Several  respondents  also  pointed  to  the  importance  of  data  protection  and  privacy  for 
children  in  the  digital  environment.  More  specifically,  respondents  refer  to  aspects  such  as 
children’s  consent,  protection of  the  collected personal  data from children. Another suggestion 
was  the  establishment  of  a  right  for  a  clean  data  slate  at  the  age  of  18,  so  that  children  are 
granted the right to demand companies to delete any personal information collected about them 
(when they are old enough to understand the consequences of data collection). 

(iv) 

Privacy,  data  protection  and  data-sharing  -  mentioned  by  non-governmental 
organisations  representing  vulnerable  people  but  also  other  stakeholders  such  as 
public authorities, and business organisations. 

Several respondents (in particular digital rights’ organisations) touched upon issues of privacy, 
data  protection  and  mass  surveillance  in  an  increasingly  digital  society.  The  feedback  often 
focused  on  and  raised  concerns  about  today’s  hyper-centralised  platform  economy  and  the 
widespread  use  of  personal  data  (i.e.  users  are  being  ‘locked-in’  and  subject  to  platforms 
sharing  their  personal  data).  Another  point  touched  upon  in  feedback  entries,  is  the  need  for 
more  democratic  models  of  data  governance  and  algorithmic  transparency,  as  some 
respondents  put  forward  that  the  application  of  AI  in  different  contexts  has  facilitated  deeper, 
more extensive forms  of inequality, discrimination and violations of fundamental  rights.  These 
stakeholders  further  elaborated  that  citizens  need  real  understanding  on  how  to  control  the 
use of their data and on how the algorithms that process their data function.   

7 

 
 
Some respondents indicated that it is of crucial importance that democratic values are upheld, 
and  that  government  surveillance  is  in  line  with  human  rights,  proposing  that  mass 
surveillance practices are prohibited within the EU. 

Finally, some respondents  (business  associations  but  also  other types stakeholders) refer to  the 
importance  of  integrity,  ethics  and  codes  of  conducts  for  professionals  working  on  for 
example the development of digital technologies (and applications), data collection and research 
(to ensure compliance with data protection requirements). Related to this, some respondents (in 
particular digital rights’ organisations) also indicated that  confusion needs to be avoided with 
existing  legal  obligations  (arising  from  the  EU  Charter,  the  EU  Treaties  and  the  EU  statutory 
law) and regulatory reform initiatives (such as for example the proposals for the Digital Services 
Act,  or  Artificial  Intelligence  Act).  Other  respondents  indicated  further  that  duplication  also 
needs  to  be  avoided  with  other  more  specific  initiatives  such  as  for  example  the  Ethical 
Principles  on  Artificial  Intelligence,  or  the  work  of  the  Council  of  Europe  on  artificial 
intelligence in the ad hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence.  

(v) 

Intellectual  property  and  copyright  –  mentioned  by  NGOs,  business  associations, 
and company/business organisations. 

Several  respondents  (in  particular  business  associations  and  companies)  centred  their  feedback 
on the need to adequately protect content creators regardless of size or scale, with specific 
reference made to the importance of this for SMEs and startups. Some of them further suggest to 
closely align principles to the freedom of expression and the protection of intellectual creations, 
given  that  these  are  viewed  by  these  stakeholders  as  complementary  to  each  other.  Some 
respondents (NGOs) indicated that the areas on intellectual property and copyright required 
further  development  by  having  more  flexible  management  of  those  rights  and  allowing  for 
copyright exceptions and limitations for example for educational use, in the area of culture, or to 
allow for citations or parody. They indicate that this could lead to benefits for society.  

(vi)  Business specific areas - mentioned by business associations and company/business 

organisations  

Several  respondents highlighted how business organisations can help in the implementation 
of  digital  principles.  They  indicate  that  they  have  a  role  to  play  to  ensure  that  digital 
technologies  and  innovations  are  used  to  benefit  citizens,  thus  leading  to  more  inclusive 
societies.  For  example,  some  respondents  indicate  that  new  and  disruptive  technologies  like 
artificial  intelligence  should  be  designed  with  humans  in  mind,  also  highlighting  that 
innovative  technologies  can  help  bring  more  competitive  jobs,  better  health,  and  better 
public services. 

These respondents often called, in their feedback, for a focus on digital education and training 
to ensure that a workforce is ready to work in a digital environment. Next to this, they also refer 
to need of having access to high-quality and secure infrastructure (including connectivity) 
and  to  public  services  in  a  digital  format.  Some  of  them  also  emphasize  the  right  to  set  up 
and conduct business online.  

8 

 
 
Some  respondents  also  suggest  having  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises,  startups  and 
entrepreneurs  as  a  key  target  group  for  any  communication  or  awareness-raising  effort  on 
digital  principles.  They  further  elaborate  specifically  on  the  needs  of  SMEs,  startups,  and 
entrepreneurs by indicating that special attention should be given to this group and by ensuring 
that regulation does not stall innovation by providing barriers to entry for this group. 

9 

 
 
3.  THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON A SET OF DIGITAL PRINCIPLES 

3.1. When was the consultation launched, and what were its objectives? 

The  European  Commission  launched  a  public  consultation  on  a  set  of  European  Digital 
Principles on the Have your say online portal5 to gather views on the formulation of European 
digital principles. The consultation took place between 12 May and 6 September 2021, and was 
made  available  in  all  24  official  EU  languages,  ensuring  that  the  public  consultation  was 
accessible to as many stakeholders as possible, especially citizens.  

3.2. Who participated in the public consultation?  

In  total,  609  replies  (and  67  positon  papers)  were  collected.  Out  of  this,  574  were  from 
stakeholders based in EU Member States. Citizens (401 contributions) and NGOs (61) made up 
around  75%  of  all  contributions  (609).  Several  contributions  were  collected  from  NGOs 
representing  European  citizens  in  various  fields  (e.g.  organisations  representing  persons  with 
disabilities, consumers, families, elderly, and children). 

to  civil  society, 

Next 
the  consultation  saw  replies  from  business  stakeholders  (37 
companies/business  organisations  and  31  business  associations).  In  addition,  a  relatively  high 
number  of  public  authorities  (26)  participated  in  the  public  consultation.  Most  were  local  or 
regional  authorities  who  indicated  that  they  find  the  topic  relevant  given  that  they  are  close  to 
and/or interacting with citizens on a daily basis.   

Table 2 - Respondent types in the sample 

Type of organisation 
Citizens 
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) 
Company/business organisations 
Business associations 
Public authorities 
Trade unions 
Consumer organisations 
Environmental organisations 
Other categories of stakeholders 
Total 

% response 

No. of responses 
401 (of which 391 EU citizens)  65.8% 
10.0% 
61 
6.1% 
37 
5.1% 
31 
4.3% 
26 
0.5% 
3 
0.5% 
3 
0.3% 
2 
3.9% 
24 
100% 
609 

3.3. What  were  the  main  suggestions  and  messages  from  respondents  to  the  public 

consultation?  

Overall, a large number of respondents to the public consultation showed broad support for a 
European  Declaration  on  Digital  rights  and  principles  as  well  as  for  the  first  set  of 
principles outlined under nine specific areas of the public consultation6. More precisely, the 

5 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13017-Declaration-of-Digital-Principles-the-
%E2%80%98European-way%E2%80%99-for-the-digital-society_en  
6 The following topics were identified and presented in the public consultation as ‘areas of principles’: (i) access to internet 
services, (ii) digital education and skills, (iii) digital public services and administrations, (iv) digital health services, (v) open, 
secure and trusted online environment, (vi) children and young people in the online space, (vii) European digital identity, (viii) 
digital products and services that respect the climate and the environment, and (ix) human-centric algorithms. 

10 

 
 
                                                           
majority of respondents  rated all principles as ‘important’ or ‘very important’, highlighting the 
importance  of  some  of  them  over  others  (see  chapter  IV  of  this  report)  and  with  some 
respondents outlining the need for additional principles (see chapter V of this report).  

These  respondents  welcomed  the  initiative,  and  often  indicated  that  Europe’s  digital  society 
should be based on European values, like plurality, inclusivity, non-discrimination, openness, 
privacy, democracy, and sustainability. Several respondents indicated that it is key for a digital 
society led in the ‘European way’ to not leave anyone behind.  

Although  several  respondents  proposed  to  make  certain  principles  more  elaborate,  a  large 
number  of  respondents  (in  particular  citizens)  also  indicated  the  need  to  have  concise,  clear 
principles which can be understandable for every European citizen.  

It  is  also  worth  noting  that  the  concepts  of  'rights'  and  'principles'  were  used  in  an 
interchangeable manner  in  some of the responses. Several  respondents  indicated that there is  a 
need  for  more  clarity  on  the  difference  (and  interplay)  between  a  Declaration  on  Digital 
rights and principles and the existing rights and principles as recognised and established in 
legal or other frameworks.  

3.4. What were suggestions from respondents on the proposed principles under the nine 

specific areas? 

i.  Universal access to internet services 

The  following  indications  of  importance  of  the  principles  under  ‘universal  access  to  internet 
services’ resulted from the public consultation (from all types of respondents): 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

1. Everyone should have access to the internet through an
affordable and adequate connection (N=581)

83%

13%

2%

2. Everyone should be able to access and distribute internet
content and services without discrimination (N=579)

3. Everyone should be clearly informed on the terms and
conditions applicable to connectivity services available on the
market, and benefit from a high level of protection when…

69%

73%

22%

6%

2%

21%

4%1%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

Most respondents indicated strong agreement7 with the proposed principles, and the analysis 
of suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 

7 Given the high perceived importance of the principles under the ‘universal access to internet services’ heading, no major 
discrepancies exist among different stakeholders groups. However, business associations and non-governmental organisations 
seem to attach slightly more importance to all three principles by indicating more often very important than respondents from 
other stakeholder groups. 

11 

 
 
 
                                                           
  A large number of respondents indicated the importance of having access to high-

quality internet for everyone (without economic and social barriers) and referred to 
groups such as underprivileged, migrants, persons with disabilities, and groups living in 
rural and remote areas.  

  Several respondents (including a relevant number of citizens) proposed to add further 
emphasis on the need to have clear and easy to understand terms and conditions. 
  Several respondents asked to clarify ‘adequate connection’ and showed preference for 

stronger language such as ‘high quality’, ‘high speed’ or ‘fast and reliable’. 

ii.  Digital education and skills   

The following indications of importance of the principles under ‘digital education and skills’ 
resulted from the public consultation (from all types of respondents):  

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

1. Everyone should have the possibility to have access to high-
quality and inclusive digital education (infrastructure,
connectivity, equipment, content and pedagogical practices).
N=(583)

2. Everyone should have the possibility to acquire through
education and training the necessary digital skills to take an
active part in society, labour markets and in democratic
processes N=(582)

3. Everyone should receive safeguards for a healthy balance in
their use of digital technologies for working and learning.
N=(578)

4. Everyone should be able to be empowered through
education to navigate the digital (media) environment in a safe,
critical and confident manner N=(585)

5. An understanding of technologies, such as Artificial
Intelligence should be promoted, so that it is possible to
engage critically and ethically with them in everyday life.
N=(585)

72%

74%

23%

3%

2%

21%

3%

1%

49%

28%

13%

3%

2%

4%

68%

23%

6%

2%

55%

30%

12%

2%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

A large number of respondents indicated strong agreement8 with the proposed principles, and 
the analysis of suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 
  A large number of respondents (in particular NGOs but also companies/business 

organisations and associations) mentioned the need and importance of having principles 
on digital education, skills and literacy in order to leave no one behind in a digital 
society. 

8 Although all stakeholder groups considered the principles under this heading to be important (or very important), it is notable 
that this is more the case for consumer and non-governmental organisations (which almost always indicated that they 
considered the principles to be very important). On average, companies/business organisations and associations considered the 
first two principles under this heading also to be slightly more important than other stakeholder groups, but this was not the case 
for the third principle (for which they indicated less support than other stakeholder groups).  

12 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Several respondents (in particular citizens, and non-governmental organisations) stressed the 
need to acknowledge the high rate of non-digital natives and persons with low digital 
skills for whom digitalisation is sometimes advancing too rapidly.  

  Several respondents (including businesses, public authorities and NGOs) also mentioned the 
need to have a specific focus on lifelong learning, upskilling, digital experts in the context 
of the (digital) work environment, next to education to enhance the ability to identify 
disinformation in order to be able to make informed choices.  

  On the suggested principle on a healthy balance, several respondents elaborated further by 

indicating the need to have a right to disconnect, or to remain offline.  

  Some respondents indicated that the last proposed principle could be better kept broad 
enough by referring to digital technologies (instead of focusing on artificial intelligence 
alone). Next to this, the importance of understanding cybersecurity recurred in several 
responses.  

iii.  Digital public services and administration 

The  following  indications  of  importance  of  the  principles  under  ‘digital  public  services  and 
administration’ resulted from the public consultation (from all types of respondents): 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

1. Everyone, including the most vulnerable and with disability
or at risk of exclusion, should benefit from human-centric and
accessible digital public services at all levels. N=(576)

2. Every person should have the possibility to engage in the
creation and improvement of digital public services that are
tailored to their needs, preferences. N=(576)

3. Every person should submit their data or information only
once when they are digitally interacting with public
administrations across the European Union N=(573)

4. Digital services offered by the public sector such as digital
identity solutions should be interoperable and allow data
portability across the EU. N=(575)

5. Digital technologies and solutions should enable a wide-
ranging engagement of and with people and stimulate the
development of participatory initiatives at all levels N=(579)

71%

22%

4%

2%

33%

16%

3%

2%

25%

17%

5%

3%

5%

45%

44%

62%

24%

8%

2%

3%

44%

33%

14%

4%

4%

6. Digital technologies and solutions should contribute to
better levels of public security and safety N=(573)

52%

26%

12%

3%

3%

3%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

A large number of respondents indicated strong agreement with the proposed principles9, and 
the analysis of the suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 

9 Consumer organisations tend to attach more importance to all the principles; and non-governmental organisations to the 
first, second and last principle under the ‘Digital public services and administration’ heading in comparison to other stakeholders 
groups. Academics/research institutions tended to indicate more neutral on the third principle in comparison to other 
stakeholder groups.  

13 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  A large number of respondents indicated that access to public services should not only be 

digital but also include non-digital access for those who are less comfortable with the rapid 
pace of digitalisation. Several respondents elaborated on this, and emphasized the needs of 
specific groups such as elderly, underprivileged, persons with disabilities, and refugees. 

  Several respondents provided comments, and emphasised the importance of data 

protection, especially with regard to reviewing personal data held by administrative bodies.  
  Some respondents pointed to the relevance of having a principle on ‘open source software’ 

indicating the importance of open source software over proprietary software. 

  On the principles about engagement, some respondents indicated that these principles can 
be subject to various degrees of interpretation (hence, their support would depend on this).  

iv.  Digital health services 

The following indications of importance of the principles under ‘digital health services’ resulted 
from the public consultation (from all types of respondents): 

1. Everyone should have access to the full benefits of
digitisation of health and care services, including personalised
medicine and telemedicine. N=(570)

2. Digital health and care services should be inclusive, 
accessible, equitable and designed to meet peoples’ needs 
N=(570)

3. Everyone should have secure, digital access to their
electronic health records N=(570)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

62%

23%

7%

3%

3%

71%

74%

20%

4%

1%

2%

18%

5%

2%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

Most respondents indicated strong agreement10 with the proposed principles, and the analysis 
of the suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 

  Most respondents indicated strong support for digital health and care solutions but 

several also indicated that digital health solutions (such as telemedicine) whilst important 
and useful, should not be viewed as a replacement for traditional in-person 
consultations. 

  Several respondents pointed to related areas (and enabling aspects). Several respondents 

referred to the need to ensure equitable access to digital aspect of healthcare across the 
population by focusing on infrastructure and ensuring high quality connection and 
hardware. In addition, respondents also flagged the need to ensure and build digital 
literacy and skills across the population, taking into account the needs of vulnerable groups.  

10   Non-governmental organisations tend to be somewhat less supportive for the first principle, but slightly more for the second 
principle under the ‘digital health services’ heading in comparison to other stakeholder groups. Companies/business 
organisations tend to slightly support more the second principle, whereas public authorities are somewhat more supportive for 
the third principle compared to other stakeholder groups.  

14 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Several respondents also pointed to the relevance of data protection, privacy, 

cybersecurity in the context of digital health and care services. Some respondents also 
pointed to the topic of health data ownerships (and control). 

v.  Open, secure and trusted online environment  

The following indications of importance of the principles under ‘open, secure and trusted online 
environment’ resulted from the public consultation (from all types of respondents): 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

1. Everyone should be able to enjoy an open and transparent
online environment, where a diversity of opinions is
encouraged and protected N=(582)

2. Everyone should be able to enjoy a safe and trusted online
environment, where illegal content and goods are effectively
tackled, and should be protected against cybercrime and/or
attacks N=(583)

3. Everyone providing their services online should expect fair
dealing, including in their relationship with online platforms
N=(582)

4. Everyone should benefit from confidentiality of their 
electronic communications (e.g. phone conversation, emails, 
etc.) and protection of information on their electronic devices 
(e.g. computers, phones, …) N=(587)

61%

59%

29%

7%

2%

24%

9%

3%3%

58%

30%

8%

4%

84%

11%

2%

1%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

A  large  number  of  respondents  indicated  strong  agreement11  with  the  proposed  principles, 
and the analysis of the suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 
  A large number of respondents indicated the importance of privacy and data protection, 
and further pointed to trust, responsibility and robust security and safety requirements.  

  A large number of respondents (in particular citizens) also touched upon the topics of 

disinformation/hate speech and the need to have more control over content online while 
stressing that this should not be left to private companies.  

   On the other hand, several respondents (also citizens) flagged the importance of free 
speech, anonymity and privacy on the internet. They emphasised the importance of 
freedom of expression and how this is protected whilst, at the same time, balanced with the 
rights and freedoms of others in the digital world. 

vi.  Children and young people in the online space 

The following indications of importance of the principles under  ‘children and  young people in 
the online space’ resulted from the public consultation (from all types of respondents): 

11   Consumer organisations tend to attach more importance to the principles under the ‘open, secure and trusted online 
environment’ heading in comparison to other stakeholders groups. Although, most citizens seem to agree strongly with the 
second principle, several of them also indicated slightly more neutral or not important in comparison to other stakeholders 
groups.  

15 

 
 
 
 
  
                                                           
1. The online environment should foster children’s and young 
people’s well-being and their participation as digital citizens. 
N=(576)

2. Children and young people should be equipped with digital
literacy and the necessary skills and competences to navigate
safely and responsibly online from an early and age and
throughout their education and training N=(576)

3. Every child should be protected from harmful and illegal
content, including from child sexual abuse and exploitation.
N=(577)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

54%

26%

11%

4%

2%3%

70%

75%

21%

14%

5%

2%

2%

6%

2%

2%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

A  large  number  of  respondents  indicated  strong  agreement12  with  the  proposed  principles, 
and the analysis of the suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 
  A very high number of respondents (in particular citizens) emphasized the importance of 

education to understand and safely navigate the online environment. Some respondents also 
suggest focusing more on education on relevant digital topics such as algorithms, 
cybersecurity, and privacy. 

  There was slightly less support towards fostering digital citizenship for children and 

young people. Some respondents (in particular citizens) indicated that the term citizenship 
is not the right one, as it is connected to adulthood.  

  Several respondents pointed to the need to have a healthy balance between online and 

offline time for children and youngsters – particularly for young children. Some 
respondents pointed out that exposure to digital tools should only start from a certain age.  
  Several respondents pointed to the importance of (and sometimes tension between) privacy 
and the freedom of expression of children/young people on the internet. The concept of 
age-verification and age-appropriate came back several times in responses.  
  Some respondents (in particular NGOs) indicated the need to ensure the same 
opportunities (e.g. affordable and adequate equipment, skills) in the digital 
environment to children living in poverty, low-income households. 

vii.  European Digital Identity 

The  following  indications  of  importance  of  the  principles  under  ‘European  Digital  Identity’ 
resulted from the public consultation (from all types of respondents): 

12   Non-governmental organisations tend to attach more importance to the first two principles under the ‘children and young 
people in the online space’ heading in comparison to other stakeholders groups. Compared to other stakeholder groups, citizens 
tended to indicate slightly more neutral or not important for the first and third principles but their support for the second principle 
is similar to other stakeholder groups. No major discrepancies existed in the perceived importance of the principles among other 
stakeholders groups. 

16 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

1. Everyone should have access to a secure and trustworthy
digital identity that can be used anywhere in the EU to access a
broad range of public and private online services N=(569)

66%

18%

8%

3%3%2%

2. Everyone should be protected against identity theft,
alteration or manipulation. N=(571)

83%

13%

2%

1%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

Most respondents indicated strong agreement13 with the proposed principles, and the analysis 
of the suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 

  Almost all respondents agreed that everyone should be protected against identity theft, 

alteration or manipulation.  

  Most respondents showed support towards a European digital identity and several of 
them (in particular public authorities) indicate the high relevance of such a solution. 
Some respondents (in particular citizens) indicate that having access to a digital identity 
should be voluntary, and not made mandatory.  

  Several respondents touched upon the importance, and raised concerns, about 

sovereignty, privacy, security and data protection. Several respondents also referred to 
the need to have control of their personal data. 

  Some respondents (in particular NGOs) flagged that a European digital identity could 
be relevant beyond the category of European citizens (e.g. refugees, expats, and 
more). They further flag the need to create awareness and foresee education on using a 
digital identity solution.  

viii.  Digital products and services that respect the climate and the environment 

The  following  indications  of  importance  of  the  principles  under  ‘digital  products  and  services 
that  respect  the  climate  and  the  environment’  resulted  from  the  public  consultation  (from  all 
types of respondents): 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

1. Everyone should have the possibility to obtain information
on the environmental footprint of digital products and services
N=(581)

2. Digital products and services should be produced, and used
with the lowest possible environmental impact N=(579)

45%

30%

12%

6% 4%

2%

58%

26%

9%

3%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

13   Public authorities and companies/business organisations attach slightly more importance to the principles under the 
heading ‘European Digital Identity’ by indicating more often very important than respondents from other stakeholder groups. 
Consumer and non-governmental organisations indicated slightly less support the first principle, whereas EU citizens tended 
to indicate slightly more support for the same principle compared to respondents from other stakeholder groups.  

17 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
A  large  number  of  respondents  indicated  agreement14  with  the  proposed  principles,  and  the 
analysis of the suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 

  Most respondents supported the proposed principles but the rate of support is lower 

compared to other areas for digital principles.  

  Several respondents pointed out that there should not only (or specifically) be a focus 
on digital products and services. Next to this, several respondents asked to see more 
emphasis on digital/technology as a source/enabler of positive change to accelerate the 
green transition (‘digital for green’), and suggested to add a principle on this aspect.  

  Some respondents (mainly businesses but also academics) were concerned and 

challenged the feasibility of providing information on the environmental footprint of 
digital products and services. Furthermore, some respondents referred to the ‘right to 
repair’ and to the scarcity of raw materials, and resource-efficiency as important 
aspects and suggested including principles on these elements.  

ix.  Human-centric algorithms 

The  following  indications  of  importance  of  the  principles  under  ‘human-centric  algorithms’ 
resulted from the public consultation (from all types of respondents): 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

1. No one should be limited or purposefully misguided by
algorithmic systems against their autonomy and free will
N=(579)

77%

15%

4%

2%

2. Everyone should benefit from algorithmic systems that foster
their individual and societal well-being N=(579)

48%

24%

15% 4%4%

4%

Very important

Important

Neutral

Not important

Not important at all

I don't know / no opinion

A  large  number  of  respondents  indicated  agreement15  with  the  proposed  principles,  and  the 
analysis of the suggestions and comments by respondents revealed the following trends: 

  Although both principles received support, there was considerably less support for the 
second principle: ‘everyone should benefit from algorithmic systems that foster their 
individual and societal well-being’. Some respondents found the principle unclear and 
ambiguous hence the lower level of support.  

  Several respondents explicitly linked the European approach (for Artificial 

Intelligence) to fundamental European values such as the respect for human dignity 
and human rights, freedom, equality, or inclusivity. 

14 Consumer organisations, non-governmental organisations, and environmental organisations attach more importance to 
the principles under ‘digital products and services that respect the climate and the environment’ heading in comparison to 
respondents from other stakeholders groups. 
15   No major discrepancies existed in the perceived importance among different stakeholders groups of the principles under the 
heading ‘human-centric algorithms’. However, companies/business organisations and non-governmental organisations attach 
slightly more importance to the second principle in comparison with other stakeholder groups.  

18 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Several respondents pointed to the need to create more understanding/awareness 
about how algorithms work (digital education), but also to have the possibility to 
obtain more transparency on the functioning of certain algorithms.  

3.5. Feedback  and  suggestions  from  respondents  for  additional  principles  beyond  the 

nine specific areas of the public consultation 

In the last part of the consultation, respondents were asked whether there are any other principles 
that  are  not  covered  by  above  areas.  A  large  number  of  respondents  (43%)  indicated  that 
there are other relevant digital principles – some of these suggestions were specifications or 
elaborations  on  the  principles  (or  areas  for  principles)  mentioned  in  the  above-identified  nine 
specific  areas  for  principles  (these  suggestions  were  taken  into  account  in  the  analysis  and 
writing of chapter IV).  

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

43%

17%

40%

Yes

No

I don't know/no opinion

Several  respondents  elaborated  on  the  need  to  have  principles  that  would  set  out  the 
possibility  of  alternatives  (or  choice)  in  a  digital  society.  Respondents  indicated  that  such 
principles  could,  for  example,  specify  that  persons  should  not  be  overly  dependent  on  certain 
digital  technologies  (from  large  corporations)  to  determine  their  future  or  actions.  Somewhat 
related to this point, some respondents also indicated the need to have a ‘right to disconnect’ or 
the need to see digital as something that can help them in their daily life without being a goal in 
itself.  

A large number of respondents (in particular business organisations and associations) proposed 
to  include  principles  on  aspects  of  the  data  economy  such  as  elaborating  more  on  data-
sharing,  altruism,  and  open  access  to  public  data.  On  the  other  hand,  some  respondents  (in 
particular citizens and consumer organisations) also raised concerns about their use of data, and 
indicated the need to have more clear principles on aspects of data ownership and control 
(including transparent and trustworthy information about the use of data).  

Several respondents (in particular citizens, NGOs and consumer organisations) also indicated the 
need  for  more  transparency  on  the  use  of  (personal)  data  by  companies,  and  to  limit 
targeted  content  and  advertising  (especially  when  detrimental  for  persons’  physical  and 
mental health). 

Finally,  some  respondents  propose  to  include  principles  on  digital  self-determination. 
Examples mentioned by respondents were possible principles on digital legacy, the ‘right to be 
forgotten’, or having the possibility to ask for a clean data slate when someone turns 18 years. 

19 

 
 
 
 
4.  EUROBAROMETER SURVEY ON ‘DIGITAL RIGHTS AND PRINCIPLES’ 

4.1. What was the main aim of the Eurobarometer survey, and who participated? 

The Eurobarometer survey was directed at citizens and aimed to consult on the perception on 
the  future  of  digital  tools  and  the  internet,  the  protection  and  application  of  rights  in  the 
online  environment,  and  their  views  on  establishing  a  common  European  vision  to  digital 
rights  and  principles.  In  total,  26  530  EU  citizens  from  all  EU  Member  States,  and  from 
different social and demographic groups were interviewed in their mother tongue.  

The survey was carried out by an external contractor in the 27 EU Member States between 
the 16th of September and 15th of October 2021.  

The results of the Eurobarometer were published on 6 December 2021, and the full report can be 
accessed on the dedicated webpage. 

The  methodology  used  was  that  of  Eurobarometer  surveys  as  carried  out  for  the  Directorate-
General  for  Communication  (Media  monitoring  and  Eurobarometer).  However,  in  order  to  run 
fieldwork  during  the  COVID  pandemic,  it  was  necessary  to  adjust  the  methodology  in  some 
Member States by conducting total or partial online interviews. 

Table 3 – Participation to the Eurobarometer on digital rights and principles 

Countries 

Belgium (BE) 
Bulgaria (BG) 
Czechia (CZ) 

Denmark (DK) 
Germany (DE) 
Estonia (EE) 

Ireland (IE) 
Greece (EL) 
Spain (ES) 
France (FR) 
Croatia (HR) 
Italy (IT) 
Rep. of Cyprus 
(CY) 
Latvia (LV) 

Number of 
face-to-face 
interviews 

Online 
interviews 

  Countries 

Number of 
face-to face- 
interviews 

Online 
interviews 

707 
1032 
760 

769 
1557 
1004 

1007 
1014 
1009 
1004 
1010 
1027 
504 

1002 

363 

257 

240 

  Latvia (LV) 
  Lithuania (LT) 
  Luxembourg 

(LU) 

  Hungary (HU) 
  Malta (MT) 
  Netherlands 

(NL) 

  Austria (AT) 
  Poland (PL) 
  Portugal (PT) 
  Romania (RO) 
  Slovenia (SI) 
  Slovakia (SK) 
  Finland (FI) 

1002 
1012 
506 

1013 
358 
1011 

1012 
1036 
1020 
1060 
1004 
1020 

  Sweden (SE) 
  Total EU27 

1020 
24484 

176 

1010 

2046 

4.2.  What were the main findings of the Eurobarometer survey?  

The  first  part  of  the  survey  focused  on  the  perception  of  EU  citizens  on  the  role  and  the 
importance that digital tools and the internet will play in their lives, and what their expected 
impact will be for them at the end of this decade (in the year 2030).  

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Many of the surveyed respondents were positive, and feel that digital tools and the internet will 
bring them more advantages than disadvantages. However, the results also indicate that a large 
group  of  respondents  expect  as  many  advantages  than  disadvantages,  with  some  respondents 
even expecting a negative outcome.  

  Around  eight  in  ten  of  the  surveyed  EU  citizens  (81%)  feel  that  digital  tools  and  the 
internet  will  be  important  in  their  lives  by  2030.  This  feeling  is  considerably  higher 
among young people (e.g. 96% of those surveyed aged 15-24 feel this way). 

  Two  out  of  five  respondents  (41%)  expect  that  the  use  of  digital  tools  and  the  internet 
will bring them more advantages than disadvantages, and a similar number (43%) expect 
as  many  advantages  as  disadvantages.  Only  a  small  proportion  (12%)  expect  more 
disadvantages than advantages. 

Respondents also indicate that they are worried about specific challenges that are connected to 
the increasing role of digital tools and the internet in our society.  

  For example, a large number of respondents  indicate that they are worried about cyber-
attacks  and  cybercrime  (56%),  the  safety  and  well-being  of  children  in  the  online 
environment (53%), and the use of personal data and information by companies or public 
administrations (46%). 

  Next  to  this,  several  respondents  also  indicate  being  worried  about  the  difficulty  some 
people have accessing the online world (41%), finding a good online/offline life balance 
(34%), learning new digital skills (26%), or the environmental impact of digital products 
and services (23%). 

The second part of the survey focused on the awareness of EU citizens on the application and 
protection  of  rights  in  the  online  environment,  and  whether  they  think  that  the  EU  protects 
their rights in the online environment.  

The  report  indicates  that  a  large  number  of  respondents  is  not  aware  that  rights  such  as  the 
freedom of expression, privacy, or non-discrimination should also be respected online. In some 
EU  countries,  and  in  older  age  groups,  around  half  of  the  surveyed  respondents  were  unaware 
that rights that apply offline should also be respected online. 

  Over  a  third  of  respondents  (39%)  indicate  being  unaware  that  the  rights  that  apply 
offline  should  also  be  respected  online.  In  some  EU  countries,  more  than  half  of  the 
respondents think this way. Older persons in particular are less aware of this (e.g. 49% of 
those surveyed in the age group 55+). 

  Around half of the EU citizens surveyed (48%) think that the EU protects their rights in 
the  online  environment  well.  However  over  one  in  four  (29%)  think  the  EU  does  not 
protect  their online rights very well, while 8% of the respondents  think it protects  their 
online rights not well at all. 

The  third  part  of  the  survey  focused  on  the  perception  among  respondents  regarding  a 
common  European  vision  to  digital  rights  and  principles,  and  explored  the  importance  of 
some specific example principles.  

21 

 
 
Overall,  a  large  majority  of  respondents  generally  considered  all  the  mentioned  example 
principles as important to be included in a list of digital principles. The detailed results can be 
consulted in the Eurobarometer report16, and/or in annex II of this document.  

4.3. What are the main conclusions of the Eurobarometer survey? 

The combination of the above findings shows that there is a need to inform EU citizens better 
about  their  rights  in  the  online  environment.  This  was  also  echoed  by  a  large  number  of 
respondents who would find it useful to know more about their rights in the online environment.  

  More than three quarters (76%) of respondents indicate that they would find it useful to 
know  more  about  their  rights  in  the  online  environment.  This  number  is  even  higher 
among young people (e.g. 90% of those surveyed aged 15-24).  

Next  to  this,  a  large  majority  of  respondents  (82%)17  consider  it  useful  for  the  European 
Commission  to  define  and  promote  a  common  European  vision  on  digital  rights  and 
principles.  

16 https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2270  
17 Only a small number indicate that this would not be very useful (9%), or not useful at all (4%). 

22 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
5.  OTHER CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 

5.1. High-level event: Leading the Digital Decade 

The ‘Leading the Digital Decade’ event18 focused on Europe’s digital transformation towards 
2030.  It was  co-organised by the European Commission and the  Portuguese Presidency of 
the Council of the European Union and held virtually on 1 and 2 June 2021. 

During the first day of the event, a high-level panel session on ‘Digital Principles – defining 
the  European  way’  was  organised.  Opening  statements  were  made  by  representatives  of  the 
European Parliament, the Spanish and Portuguese government to introduce the discussions. The 
panel itself consisted of representatives of consumers, business and academics.  

In  general,  the  members  of  the  panel  showed  support  for  the  development  of  a  set  of  digital 
principles,  in  particular  when  it  would  attempt  to  balance  digital  innovation  with  European 
ethical values and rights. The panel indicated that we should go beyond only translating offline 
rights and obligations into the online world because more protection is needed online. A panel 
member proposed that ethical principles should be at the heart of digital tools, and be backed by 
effective  rights.  Next  to  this,  the  panel  elaborated  on  the  need  to  equip  citizens  with  digital 
skills  to  establish  trust,  participation  in  the  development  and  understanding  of  digital 
technologies.  

The  panel  also  indicated  that  citizens,  including  children  specifically,  should  not  only  be 
protected, but they also  need to be  empowered in  a digital  society. The  role of business  to 
help  implementing  digital  principles  was  emphasised  as  well  as  the  importance  of  digital 
innovations and solutions for societal challenges such as the climate crisis and health.  

On the same day, the ‘Lisbon Declaration – Digital Democracy with a Purpose’19 was presented. 
This Declaration was an initiative of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European 
Union  and  aimed  to  contribute  to  the  then  ongoing  public  consultation  on  a  set  of  Digital 
Principles.  All EU Member States supported the Declaration and a majority supported the annex 
which presents a framework on digital principles.  

5.2. Workshops with civil society and other relevant stakeholders   

When took the workshops place, and what were its objectives? 

The European Commission organised, with the support of an external contractor, two dedicated 
workshops with civil society and other relevant stakeholders. The workshops took place on 
22  and  28  September  2021,  and  were  organised  online  by  making  use  of  design-thinking 
methodologies  to  collect  views  of  different  categories  of  citizens  through  relevant 
organisations that interact with them on a daily basis, and/or have a very good understanding 
of their needs in the digital environment. 

18 More information can be found on: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/leading-digital-decade  
19 More information can be found on: https://www.lisbondeclaration.eu/  

23 

 
 
 
                                                           
Building  on  real-life  scenarios,  the  first  workshop,  organised  on  22  September  2021,  aimed  to 
explore the needs, challenges and opportunities for (specific groups of) citizens with regard 
to digitalisation. Based on this analysis, the participants were then invited to discuss what the 
most important principles are to address these needs, challenges and opportunities.  

The second workshop, which was organised on 28 September 2021, aimed to further reflect on 
the most important principles for a digital society. Its goal was also to stimulate interactive 
discussions and gather information on aspects potentially missing from the proposed areas of 
principles.  Moreover,  the  participants  were  invited  to  reflect  on  possible  actions  -  particularly 
those that could be implemented directly by the participating stakeholders – and to speak about 
good  practices  and  existing  initiatives.  The  outputs  of  the  second  workshop  were  aligned  with 
and built on the conclusions of the first workshop 

Who took part in the workshops? 

A  total  of  29  participants  attended  the  first  workshop,  and  16  the  second  workshop.  The 
participants  were  selected  to  understand  views  of  citizens  that  are  not  easily  reached  with 
traditional  consultation tools –  representatives of children and  youngsters, vulnerable people, 
people living in rural areas, persons with disabilities, families, and elderly people were present. 
In  addition  consumer  organisations,  regional  groups,  trade  unions  and  representatives  of 
SMEs were also invited to workshop.  

Table 4 – Participation to the workshops 
Type of organisation 
Local and regional authorities 
Non-governmental organisations representing specific 
groups in society 
Digital rights organisations 
Representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises 
Consumer organisations 
Trade unions 
Other 
Total 

Workshop I 
6 
11 

Workshop II 
3 
3 

2 
4 
2 
2 
2 
29 

2 
3 
1 
1 
3 
16 

Participants included mainly organisations that are located in Member States but also some 
Brussels-based organisations were invited.    

In terms of interactivity, the level of participation and debating was high during the workshops. 

What were the most important principles for the participants in the workshop?    

There  was  a  general  consensus  on  the  importance  of  all  of  the  proposed  areas  of  digital 
principles.  Workshop  participants  also  emphasised  that  digital  principles  should  be  future-
proof  to,  for  example,  encompass  emerging  and  future  digital  technologies.  The  need  to 
focus  on  the  general  readability  of  the  principles  was  underlined  by  several  participants,  as 
was  the  need  to  make  sure  that  the  principles  are  clear  and  understandable  to  all 

24 

 
 
Europeans. In addition, the importance of monitoring and reporting on the implementation 
of digital principles was raised.  

Through  the  use  of  exploratory  exercises,  participants  to  the  first  workshop  were  further 
asked what for European  citizens would be the  most important principles. The results are 
outlined below: 

-  Preventing disinformation and fake news (including by ensuring access to trusted sources 

of information).  

-  Promoting critical thinking skills, digital and media literacy.  
-  Promoting  neutrality  and  transparency  on  digital  skills  and  on  online  services  (e.g.  by 

fostering trainings and learning opportunities with open source solutions). 

-  Ensuring availability and accessibility of cultural heritage online. 
-  Ensuring non-discrimination in the online environment. 
-  Ensuring the right to disconnect. 
-  Ensuring the right to have access to services offline. 
-  Preventing targeted advertising and profiling of children and youngsters. 
-  Prevention of negative effects of long-term exposure to digital technologies.  
-  Limiting  the  monitoring,  corporate/marketing  profiling  and  targeting  of  end  users  / 
providing  end-users  with  the  possibility  of  enjoying  the  digital  environment  (including 
products, devices, services) without 24/7 surveillance.  

-  Ensuring the right to data portability (i.e. through the disconnection of services and data 

and by granting ownership on personal data shared online). 

-  Providing a right to review data online and the right to be forgotten.  
-  Promoting  fairness  and  transparency  in  the  digital  environment  (e.g.  access  to  clear 
information  about  algorithms  and  other  practices  used  in  online  applications  and 
emerging technologies). 

-  Ensuring  the  use  of  a  trusted  and  secure  digital  identity  (including  the  right  to  manage 

shared data, access to platforms and anonymity). 
-  Ensuring a safe digital environment at EU level. 
-  Stronger support for digitalisation for citizens and businesses. 

The  following  principles  from  the  list  above  were  voted  as  the  most  important  by  the 
participants in the second workshop: 

-  Promoting fairness and transparency in the digital environment.  
-  Ensuring non-discrimination in the online environment. 
-  Preventing disinformation and fake news. 
-  Ensuring the right to data portability.  
-  Ensuring the right to have access to services offline. 
-  Prevention of negative effects of long-term exposure to digital technologies.  
-  Stronger support for digitalisation for citizens and businesses. 

25 

 
 
 
 
Further suggestions and ideas from the exploratory discussions 

Participants pointed out that some principles should be broader and deserve their own area 
and  should  not  only  be  a  sub-principle  (for  example,  fake  news  and  disinformation).  
Disability  organisations  participating  in  the  workshops  stated  the  importance  of  having 
accessible digital tools, and to this end asked for a stronger mention of web accessibility in all 
areas of principles.  

Several  participants  also  mentioned  that  most  of  the  areas  of  principles  overlap  and  are 
interdependent  between  one  another.  At  the  same  time,  multiple  stakeholders  in  both 
workshops  agreed  that  digital  skills  and  literacy  are  a  necessary  requirement  for  the  other 
principles.  Similarly,  many  participants  indicated  the  suggested  principles  in  the  area  of  ‘a 
secure,  trusted  and  online  environment’  as  very  relevant,  while  highlighting  the  need  to 
further strengthen them with additional principles. 

Protection  and  control  of  personal  data,  data  portability  also  prominently  featured  in  the 
discussions  in  both  workshops,  both  of  which  were  associated  with  online  security  concerns. 
Participants  raised  concerns  regarding  online  market  profiling,  advertising,  and  exposure  to 
inappropriate content especially for children.  

When  asked  about  the  possible  role  of  actors  to  implement  and  promote  a  set  of  digital 
principles,  the  participants  pointed  foremost  to  the  role  of  regulators  to  implement  existing 
rights  and  principles,  leveraging  existing  legislation  and  legal  frameworks.  The  feedback 
received  also  included  a  suggestion  that  national  authorities  should  not  only  regulate,  and 
promote implementation, but also develop a framework and take up a pioneering role. 

Some  participants  stressed  that  the  principles  should  also  be  implemented  in  a  decentralised 
way,  i.e.  being  promoted  by  multiple  actors  rather  than  only  by  public  authorities  through 
legislation.  Using  technological  advances  to  better  implement  the  principles  with  the  existing 
means  were  recognised.  This  would  for  example  allow  citizens  to  take  an  active  part  in 
shaping and promoting the principles. The need to regularly revise the list of principles in 
view of technological developments was also mentioned. 

5.3. Targeted consultation with local and regional authorities 

When did the targeted consultation take place, and what were its objectives? 

Given  that  local  and  regional  authorities  were  identified  in  the  consultation  and  engagement 
strategy20 as important stakeholders, the ECON secretariat of the Committee of the Regions 
(CoR)  launched  a  parallel  consultation  on  the  formulation  of  a  set  of  digital  rights  and 
principles.  

20 For more information, see chapter I on the stakeholder consultation and engagement activities. 

26 

 
 
  
                                                           
The targeted consultation was open from 14 July to 10 October 2021, and aimed to understand 
the views from local and regional authorities on the principles as put forward in the public 
consultation  and  on  some  additional,  more  detailed  principles  suggested  by  the  ECON 
secretariat on the basis of past opinions and consultative work of the Committee of the Regions. 

Who participated in the targeted consultation?  

The  targeted  consultation  gathered  the  views  and  experiences  of  29  CoR  members, 
representatives  of territorial associations and development agencies across 11 EU Member 
States21. 

What were the main views and suggestions from local and regional authorities? 

The  consultation  has  gathered  some  interesting  insights  about  which  digital  principles  are 
considered  the  most  important  to  local  and  regional  authorities  and  CoR  members.  The  main 
findings can be summarized along the following lines:  

  The  proposed  principles  about  a  European  digital  identity  were  considered  the  most 
important  ones  by  the  participating  local  and  regional  authorities  with  98%  of  the 
respondents indicating these principles at least ‘important’ (and 79% indicating them as 
‘very important’). 

  Local  and  regional  authorities  also  attached  a  lot  of  importance  to  the  principles  that 
relate to universal access to internet, with 97% of respondents indicating them at least 
‘important’. The  participating authorities  attached particular importance to the principle 
of  ‘access  to  an  affordable  and  high-speed  connection’,  proposing  to  also  include  an 
explicit  reference  to  rural  and  border  regions.  In  addition,  respondents  also  indicated 
support  (93%)  for  the  CoR’s  suggestion  to  add  a  principle  about  digital  cohesion  to 
ensure that no region or person is left behind. 

  Moreover,  principles  strongly  relating 

local  and  regional  authorities’ 
responsibilities  also  received  high  levels  of  support:    digital  health  services  (93%), 
digital  public  services  and  administration  (92%).  The  CoR’s  suggestion  to  add  a 
principle  about  ‘efficient  and  secure  data  sharing  between  all  levels  of  governments’ 
received a high level of support (93%) by the participating authorities. 

to  many 

  The  principles  relating 

(92%)  protecting  and 
to  human-centric  algorithms 
empowering children and young people (90%) and open, secure, and trusted online 
environment (90%) also received high support rates. The CoR proposed principle about 
‘having  robust  measures  to  defend  civil  liberties  and  democracy  in  an  increasingly 
digitalised era’ received a similar level of support (89%) by the participating authorities. 
  The  principles  in  the  area  of  digital  education  and  skills  received  positive  feedback 
from around 89% of respondents, with the CoR’s suggested addition to focus on ‘lifelong 
learning’ receiving the highest share of ‘very important’ answers.  

21 Local and regional authorities from the following EU Member States participated: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, 
Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Romania and Spain. 

27 

 
 
                                                           
  Finally,  the  principles  in  the  area  of  digital  products  and  services  that  respect  the 
climate  and  environment  received  slightly  less  support  compared  to  other  areas,  with 
81% of the respondents finding them at least ‘important’.   

5.4. Targeted  consultation  with  children  and  teachers  on  ‘How  to  make  Europe’s 

Digital Decade fit for children and young people?’ 

 When did the targeted consultation take place, and what were its objectives? 

To support the consultation on the Digital rights and principles and the preparation of an update 
of the ‘Better Internet for Children’ Strategy’22, European Schoolnet organised on behalf of the 
European Commission from March to August 2021 a targeted consultation on ‘How to make 
Europe’s Digital Decade fit for children and young people?’.  

The consultation was directed at children, and teachers across the European Union and aimed 
to consult on the priorities, they see, to promote, respect and fulfil children’s rights in the 
digital world, and what they believe are key opportunities and challenges. 

More  information  and  details  about  this  consultation  can  be  found  on  the  Better  Internet  for 
Kids Portal. 23 

Who participated in the targeted consultation?  

A total of 71 consultation sessions were carried out, with with support from the Insafe network 
of European Safer Internet Centres and a wider range of European online safety and child rights 
organisations. Over 750 children and young people across the EU (and beyond) participating 
in  the  consultation.  Several  of  these  consultation  groups  consisted  of  children  under  12,  or 
included  representatives  from  one  or  more  of  the  following  groups:  children  with  disabilities, 
migrant/refugee children, children in care, LGBTQ+ children, or children living in poverty. The 
methodology of the consultations was based on several existing benchmarks for meaningful child 
participation. 

What were the main views and suggestions from children and young people 

The  consultation  results  showed  that,  overall,  children  and  young  people  have  a  good 
understanding of both the positive and negative aspects of the Internet. They realise that the 
digital  world  –  much like the offline world  – will  never be entirely safe.  When asked to  voice 
their main concerns about the digital realm, most of the groups mentioned the following (in order 
of importance): 

  cyberbullying; 

22 More information can be found on: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13160-Better-
internet-for-children-strategy-update_en  
23 The consultation process is explained here: https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/en-GB/practice/articles/article?id=6851949 
The full report, published at the Safer Internet Forum 2022 can be found here :  

28 

 
 
 
                                                           
  hateful and harmful content;   
 
  privacy and data protection. 

fake news and disinformation;24  

Across  the  different  consultation  groups,  general  concerns  were  raised  about  the  lack  of 
awareness  among  Internet  users  about  online  risks  and  potential  mitigation  measures.25 
Several consultation groups highlighted their concern specifically for younger children, who may 
be less experienced and more vulnerable. The respondents agreed that the environment a person 
lives in is very important, with an essential role to be played by parents.  

There  seems  to  be  widespread  agreement  that  the  digital  world  provides  a  wealth  of 
opportunities.  Yet,  respondents  consider  it  not  sufficiently  inclusive  and  accessible  for 
children and young people with disabilities. Explicit concerns were also raised about hateful 
and  violent  content  online  targeting  children  and  young  people  in  vulnerable  and 
marginalised  situations,  with  ‘being  different’  in  any  possible  way  seen  as  a  risk  factor  often 
leading to harassment and rejection. 

What were the main views and suggestions from teachers and educators?  

The European teachers and educators involved in this consultation exercise  largely echoed the 
education needs put forward by children and young people. They call upon policy makers to 
substantially  invest  in  national  and  international  programmes  which  support  education  and 
awareness-raising efforts.  

For teachers, this is primarily about:  

  Making  sure  that  media  literacy,  online  safety  and  digital  citizenship  are  part  of  the 

formal curriculum from an early age onwards; 

  Ensuring that these topics are properly addressed in teacher training and professional 

development;  

  More  actively  reaching  out  to  parents  and  carers  so  as  to  develop  a  shared 
understanding of what is going on in children’s and young people’s online lives, in 
turn making it possible to foster an ongoing whole-school dialogue; 

  Taking  an  evidence-based  approach  and  better  assessing  the  results  of  existing 

education efforts.  

The respondents raised the issue of accountability of and the need to force (or, more positively, 
encourage)  industry  to  develop  technological  solutions  and  come  up  with  age-appropriate 
standards and measures to keep their platforms and services safe.  

24 The respondents further indicated that this is not only a threat for minors, but perhaps even more so for older people. 
25 The respondents further indicated that this lack of awareness includes not only children and young people, but also parents and 
other adults.  

29 

 
 
                                                           
Several teachers also elaborated about difficulties in getting their own colleagues on board, with 
reasons  cited  including  that  the  curriculum  is  full,  there  is  not  sufficient  awareness,  many 
teachers lack the required knowledge, skills and confidence and it is difficult to keep up to 
date with the continuous flow of technological development.  

It  is  noteworthy  that  even  the  group  of  participating  open-minded  and  enthusiastic  European 
teachers  and  educators  had  –  in  comparison  with  the  children  and  young  people  consulted  –  a 
rather narrow and protective view of children’s rights in a digital world. For example, while 
many of our younger respondents talked passionately about online entertainment and gaming as 
important  opportunities  for  positive  and  creative  participation,  teachers  primarily  framed 
these  activities  in  relation  to  concerns  about  time  spent  online  or  minors  accessing 
inappropriate services and content.  

When asked about protective measures, teachers typically argued that access should be restricted 
based on age. By contrast, children and young people themselves would rather point to the need 
for  policy  makers  and  industry  to  prevent  negative  things  from  happening  in  the  online 
spaces they already inhabit, while equally providing more age-appropriate alternatives for 
them to engage with.  

In many ways, these examples illustrate – in very concrete and practical ways – how the rights of 
children and young people to provision and participation are easily overlooked when minors are 
not sitting around the table when child online protection is being discussed. 

5.5. Targeted interviews with some relevant organisations and stakeholders 

When did the interviews take place, and what were its objectives? 

The European Commission interviewed, with the support of an external contractor, a total of 23 
organisations  and  stakeholders.  These  organisations  included  10  companies  (including  both 
large  companies,  SMEs  and  start-ups),  three  business  associations,  six  public  authorities 
(including national,  regional and local  authorities)  and  four  external  stakeholders (international 
organisation  in  the  field  of  economic  and  social  development,  and  one  representing 
neighbourhood countries, and two international financial institutions).  

The  interviews  aimed  to  understand  the  relevance  of  a  set  of  digital  principles  for  these 
organisations,  the  potential  opportunities  that  they  could  bring,  and  the  role  that  these 
organisations consider for themselves in promoting and helping with the implementation of 
such a set of digital principles.  

The interviews took place in October and November 2021 on the basis of an interview guide that 
was shared prior to the interviews. Interviews were conducted online and last one hour.  

What  were  relevant  and  recurring  themes  mentioned  by  the  interviewed  organisations 
and stakeholders? 

30 

 
 
 
 
Overall, all interviewees indicated support for a Declaration on digital rights and principles, 
while stressing also the need to avoid possible duplication with similar initiatives. In general, 
interviewees  emphasized  the  importance  of  all  listed  principles  in  the  public  consultation  but 
they  attached  particular  importance  to  have  a  focus  on  human-centricity,  digital  education, 
inclusiveness  and  access  to  digital  environment  in  a  secured  and  trusted  environment  but  also 
suggest  to  include more  prominent principles on  data protection and privacy, fair  connectivity, 
and digital skills of elderly people and children. 

All interviewees agreed to also  focus on concrete actions and implementation following  the 
adoption  of  such  a  Declaration.  In  particular,  a  large  number  of  interviewees  mentioned  the 
importance  of  raising  awareness  and  fostering  open  dialogue  with  citizens  and  other 
stakeholders  since  the  implementation  of  such  principles  would  require  the  collaboration  of 
stakeholders  at  various  levels  (EU  institutions,  Member  States'  public  administrations  but  also 
international  partners,  regional  and  local  authorities,  social  partners,  research  institutes, 
businesses, NGOs and civil society organisations).  

Furthermore, several interviewees highlighted that citizens should be able to understand, and 
feel  the  benefits  of  such  principles.  Therefore,  these  interviewees  suggested  to  have  clear, 
simple  and  understandable  principles,  and  to  put  efforts  in  communication  and  stakeholder 
engagement  strategies  and  initiatives,  for  example  for  children,  and  for  citizens  with  a  low 
levels of digital literacy.  

Next to this, several interviewees also mentioned the need to have a monitoring framework in 
place to measure the impact and progress of the implementation of the principles against defined 
targets. Furthermore, the need to regularly iterate/review? the principles was raised to adapt to 
the changes in the digital environment (especially considering the rapid pace of digitalisation and 
the development of specific technologies, such as artificial intelligence). 

Finally,  several  interviewees  (in  particular  external  stakeholders)  mentioned  that  promoting  a 
declaration  on  digital  rights  and  principles  could  help  create  worldwide  alliances, 
partnerships  and  synergies,  especially  to  bring  together  like-minded  third  countries,  regions 
and international organisations with similar objectives as the EU.  

Furthermore,  it  was  mentioned  by  several  interviewees  that  pro-actively  promoting  the 
declaration  could  bring  an  opportunity  for  the  EU  to  reinforce  a  leadership  position  in  the 
promotion  of  fundamental  values  in  the  digital  domain  but  also  to  create  a  competitive 
advantages to attract businesses and foster new investments.  

What  were  the  potential  roles  mentioned  by  the  interviewed  organisations  to  help 
promoting and implementing digital principles?  

All  interviewees  generally  expressed  their  willingness  to  support  the  implementation  and 
promotion of a set of digital principles.  

31 

 
 
The most recurring roles envisaged were the following:   

  Promoter: raise awareness on digital principles with citizens, consumers and partners to 

reinforce the European way to the digital transformation.  

  Implementer:  implementing,  reusing  and  disseminating  the  digital  principles  through 

specific projects and actions undertaken by organisations.  

  Investor:  supporting  other  organisations  (such  as  SMEs  and  startups)  in  their  core 
activities  to  help  implement  several  principles  but  also  by  for  example  facilitate  the 
implementation  of  certain  digital  principles  through  investments  in  core  areas  (e.g. 
infrastructure but also training and digital education opportunities to employees). 

  Partner to the Commission to promote digital principles with like-minded international 

organisations and third countries.   

The  majority  of  participants  offered  to  take  on  more  than  one  of  the  abovementioned  roles,  in 
line with their scope of activities (especially relevant for large organisations). The most indicated 
roles are promoters and implementers, by respectively 12 and 9 interviewees out of 23. Several 
interviewees  from  the  private  sector  (8)  confirmed  that  the  declaration  would  give  further 
credibility to some of their ongoing projects, and they would be willing  to explore possibilities 
to coordinate activities that could focus on the promotion or implementation of digital principles. 

Some organisations also mentioned that they can provide feedback and report to the Commission 
to help with the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of digital principles,  

32 

 
 
 
 
6.  DESK  ANALYSIS  OF 
ORGANISATIONS 

INITIATIVES  ON  DIGITAL  PRINCIPLES  BY  OTHER 

6.1. What was the desk analysis about, and what were its objectives? 

The European Commission, with the support of an external contractor, undertook a mapping of 
other initiatives on digital principles and rights that were published between 2014 and 2021 
by  EU  institutions,  international  and  intergovernmental  organisations,  national  competent 
authorities (including EU Member States and third countries), local  authorities as well as non-
governmental organisations.  

During this mapping, a total of 30 initiatives have been identified and were mapped against 
the areas for digital principles that were included in the roadmap and public consultation 
on  a  set  of  digital  principles.  The  main  objective  was  to  understand  what  the  focus  of  these 
other  initiatives  was,  and  to  inform  the  drafting  of  an  EU  Declaration  on  Digital  rights  and 
principles. The table in Annex III of the SWD offers an overview of these initiatives.  

6.2. Who are the authors of the analysed initiatives on digital rights and principles?  

At  EU  level,  the  Presidency  of  the  Council  of  the  EU  has  produced  several  declarations 
which have set the ground and served as inspiration for the proposal on the EU Declaration 
on  Digital  rights  and  principles.  Recent  examples  of  such  declarations  include  the  ‘Lisbon 
Declaration on Digital Democracy with a Purpose’, the ‘Berlin Declaration on Digital Society 
and Value-based Digital Government’, or the ‘Tallin Declaration on eGovernment’.  

legislative  and/or  political 
Similarly,  several  EU  Member  States  have 
commitments  on  digital  principles  and  rights  in  recent  years,  which  emphasise  the 
importance attached to digital rights and principles in Member States. The analysis included the 
Spanish  ‘Digital  Rights  Charter’,  the  Italian  ‘Declaration  on  Internet  Rights’,  the  French 
‘Digital Republic Bill’ and the Portuguese ‘Charter on Human Rights in the Digital Age’. 

introduced 

Relevant initiatives (mostly with a focus on a specific topics) have also been advanced by pan-
European  organisations, including the Council of Europe, the OECD  but  also  for  example 
the Regional Cooperation Council, which is focusing primarily on Western Balkans countries 
and  came  with  a  list  of  main  objectives  (that  contains  references  to  digital  principles)  for  the 
digital transformation of the region.  

Furthermore, worldwide initiatives have been put forward by inter-governmental political fora 
such as the G7 and G20. Recent examples include the G7 Internet Safety Principles, the G20 
Digital  Government  Principles (including annexes  on AI Principles,  and  High  Level  Principles 
for  the  Children  Protection  and  Empowerment  in  the  Digital  Environment).  Additionally,  the 
United  Nations  Committee  on  the  Rights  of  the  Child  recently  adopted  a  general  comment 
focusing on children's rights in relation to the digital environment. 

33 

 
 
Several  regional  and  continent-level  initiatives  have  also  been  promoted  by  international 
organisations  outside  of  Europe.  On  the  one  hand,  organisations  like  the  African  Union; 
Mercosur  and the Pan  American Health Organisation authored initiatives in  the field  of digital 
rights  and  principles  with  specific  aspects  responding  to  local  challenges.  For  example,  the 
African Union’s 'Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020 - 2030)' points out objectives 
focusing  on  the  economic  and  technological  development  of  the  continent  over  the  current 
decade.  On  the  other  hand,  organisations  such  as  the  Association  of  Southeast  Asian  Nations 
(ASEAN)  have  authored  a  digital  development  programme  which  contains  some  information 
regarding digital principles.  

Likewise,  national  authorities  from  third  countries  (outside  the  EU)  came  forward  with 
initiatives to advance the implementation of digital rights and principles. Examples are Canada's 
‘Digital Charter’, the ‘Digital Charter’ from the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & 
Sport,  and  the  Brazil’s  ‘Internet  Bill  of  Rights’.  Other  countries  launched  national  digital 
strategies containing reference to some digital rights and principles.  

Moreover,  although  most  initiatives  have  been  promoted  at  the  national  level,  it  is  relevant  to 
mention the existence of some initiatives that are launched by local authorities. One example 
of such an initiative is the ‘Cities Coalition for Digital Rights’, which brings together around 50 
of the major cities across the planet that undersigned five principles with the aim to protect and 
uphold digital rights at the local and global level.  

Finally,  a  significant  number  of  non-governmental  and  civil  society  organisations  came 
forward with initiatives that set out digital rights and principles. For example, European Digital 
Rights  (EDRi)  came  forward  with  a  10-point  ‘Charter  of  Digital  Rights’,  the  Open  Society 
Foundation  (co-authored  by  BEUC,  and  based  on  contributions  from  other  civil  society 
organisations)  developed  ‘A  Human-Centric  Digital  Manifesto  for  Europe’,  and  the  ZEIT-
Foundation  (on  the  basis  of  a  group  of  German  experts  from  all  fields  of  civil  society)  has 
created a proposal for a ‘Charter of Fundamental Digital Rights of the European Union’.  

6.3. Areas most often covered by the initiatives on digital rights and principles 

Based on the desk analysis, the following areas were the most often covered by the 30 selected 
initiatives on digital rights and principles: 

-  Access to the Internet was the area for digital rights and/or principles found most often. 
In  total,  23  out  of  the  30  analysed  initiatives  dealt  with  providing  access  to  Internet 
services and included principles about improving access to the Internet, development of 
digital  infrastructure,  and/or on the quality  of  Internet  connectivity  at affordable prices. 
Several initiatives also underlined the importance of net neutrality (i.e. equal treatment 
of all Internet traffic and the impossibility for Internet providers to speed up, slow down 
or block any content, applications or website).  

34 

 
 
-  Privacy and data protection is the second-most recurring topic covered by 22 out of the 
30  analysed  initiatives.  The  main  provisions  relate  to  privacy  and  data,  and  cover  for 
example  data  protection,  and  the  transparency  of  data  use,  and  users’  control  over 
their personal data.  

Moreover,  several  initiatives  mention  more  specific  principles  such  as  the  right  of 
anonymity  and  the  right  to  be  forgotten.  Some  initiatives  (notably  from  NGOs)  also 
touch upon the right to be free from mass surveillance in a digital environment. 

-  Digital education and skills  was mentioned in 17 of the 30 analysed initiatives. These 
rights and/or principles focused for example on a digital inclusive society, and the right 
to  digital  education  and  development  of  digital  skills.  Several  initiatives  also 
elaborated  on  the  need  to  ensure  awareness  of  cybersecurity  threats,  data  protection 
matters, and critical media literacy skills to understand disinformation.  

Several  initiatives  focused  on  ensuring  participation  in  a  digital  society  of  the  most 
vulnerable  persons  in  society  (one  initiative  also  stressed  the  need  for  technologies  to 
focus on contributing to people's physical and psychological well-being). In this regard, 
some  initiatives  also  focused  on  accessibility  of  digital  technologies  for  persons  with 
disabilities, or more general  

It  is  also  worth  mentioning  that  several  initiatives  have  employment  (and  working 
conditions)  as  a  specific  sub-chapter,  where  they  include  such  principles  as  life-long 
learning,  upskilling,  work-life  balance,  the  right  to  disconnect,  the  impact  of  (digital) 
technologies  on  labour  and  work  environments,  and  working  arrangements  for  online 
platform workers.  

-  Safe, secure and trustworthy online environment was covered by digital rights and/or 
principles in  17 out  of 30 analysed initiatives. The references  encompassed several  key 
elements, such as the protection of users from online crime (e.g. fraud, online ID-theft, 
…), but also the use and provision of secure and trusted digital identity services. Some 
initiatives also refer to a safe online environment that focuses on the  prevention of the 
dissemination of illegalcontent or hate speech online.  

Furthermore,  12  initiatives  cover  the  area  of  cybersecurity  (sometimes  as  a  specific 
chapter)  by  for  example  elaborating  on  a  right  to  cybersecurity,  the  need  to  raise 
awareness on cybersecurity threats and to foster the protection of critical infrastructures 
against cyber-attacks.  

-  Open environment, and freedom of expression and information was mentioned in 15 
out of the 30 analysed initiatives. Most of the initiatives highlight the need to guarantee 
freedom  of  speech,  expression  and  information  in  a  digital  environment.  Some 
initiatives  elaborate  further  by  having  specific  principles  on  the  protection  from 
disinformation, transparency and access to documents. 

35 

 
 
Several  initiatives  also  elaborate  on  the  right  to  create  content  in  the  online 
environment  and  to  have  it  protected.  More  specifically,  the  protection  of  copyright 
and intellectual property are often the focus of a dedicated digital right or principle. Some 
initiatives  (notably  from  NGOs)  promote  for  example  an  update  of  the  regulation 
regarding the protection of intellectual property rights online. 

-  Digital  public  services  and  administration  was  covered  in  14  of  the  30  analysed 
initiatives. These rights and/or principles focused primarily on access to, and delivery of 
digital  public services (but  some initiatives also  indicated that people should  be able to 
access physical public services should they so choose). Several initiatives also included 
principles on transparency, access and reuse of public data, modern public governments, 
and on human-centric, secure and accessible public services.  

Finally, some initiatives also  emphasise the importance of open sourcing  of public data 
and publicly-funded research. These initiatives contain principles that refer to promoting 
interoperability,  open  data  and  open  standards  or  to  promote  the  use  of  data  to 
develop solutions for societal challenges. 

initiatives  highlight 

-  Artificial  intelligence  was  mentioned  in  13  out  of  the  30  analysed  initiatives.  Most  of 
these 
transparency,  accountability,  and  non-
discrimination  of  algorithms  and  artificial  intelligence  systems.  Furthermore,  some 
initiatives focus on respect for human autonomy (especially for decisions that touch upon 
physical integrity or deprivation of liberty) and the need to have human-centred artificial 
intelligence systems that are rooted in fundamental rights and values.  

the  need  of 

The  following  digital  principles  included  in  the  Commission’s  proposal  for  a  Declaration  on 
Digital rights and principles were covered to a lesser extent in the analysed initiatives: 

-  Children  and  young  people  were  covered  in  eight  of  the  analysed  initiatives.  These 
initiatives  focused  on  the  protection  of  minors  (by  for  example  ensuring  safe 
environments,  balanced  use  of  digital  technologies,  protection  of  privacy  and  data)  but 
also  on  their  empowerment  and  participation  in  the  digital  environment  (by  for 
example  focusing  on  digital  literacy,  and  taking  into  consideration  their  opinions  in 
accordance with their age and maturity).  

-  Digital  and  the  climate  was  only  covered  in  four  of  the  analysed  initiatives.  More 
specifically, these initiatives elaborated for example of the need for a sustainable digital 
society  and  development  of  digital  technologies  (by  including  for  example  the 
reduction of the carbon footprint of the telecommunication sector), or to promote digital 
solutions for key social and environmental challenges. 

-  Digital  health  services  was  only  covered  to  a  certain  extent  in  two  of  the  analysed 
initiatives.  More  specifically,  one  initiative  refers  to  a  right  to  health  protection  in  a 
digital  environment,  and  further  specifies  the  need  to  protect  the  citizen’s  right  in  the 

36 

 
 
context  of  digital  neurotechnologies  (to  ensure  the  protection  of  the  individual  self-
determination,  sovereignty  and  freedom 
initiative 
emphasized the need to focus on the digitalisation of the health sector.  

in  decision-making).  Another 

37 

 
 
 
 
ANNEX  I  -  OVERVIEW  ON  THE  STAKEHOLDERS  THAT  PARTICIPATED  TO  THE 
PUBLIC CONSULTATION, AND/OR PROVIDED FEEDBACK TO THE ROADMAP 

In the course of the preparation of this initiative, the Commission has received position papers 
from the following stakeholders: 

1.  Access Now Europe 
2.  ACT | The App Association 
3.  ActionAid International 
4.  Alliance for Healthy Infosphere 
5.  Association of Commercial 

Television in Europe 

6.  Be Global 
7.  Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer 
8.  Centrica S.r.l. 
9.  CERMI 
10. Clean Up The Internet 
11. COFACE-Families Europe 
12. COMMUNIA Association for the 

Public Domain 
13. Concord Europe 
14. CONEPA-CETRAA 
15. Council of European Municipalities 

and Regions (CEMR) 

16. CPME - Standing Committee of 

European Doctors 

17. Cultural Broadcasting Archive 
Verein zur Förderung digitaler 
Kommunikation 

18. Danish Chamber of Commerce 
19. Defend Democracy 
20. DIGITALEUROPE 
21. DOT Europe 
22. Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) 
23. ESOMAR 
24. Europe Technology Policy 

Committee of the Association for 
Computing Machinery 

25. European Advertising Standards 

Alliance (EASA) 

26. European Digital Rights (EDRi) 
27. European Disability Forum (EDF) 
28. European Federation of National 
Organisations working with the 
Homeless (FEANTSA) 

29. European Forum of the Insurance 
against Accidents at Work and 
Occupational Diseases 
30. European Games Developer 

Federation (EGDF) 

31. European Network of Social 

Integration Enterprises (ENSIE) 
32. European Partnership for Democracy 
33. European University Association 
34. Europeana Foundation 
35. Federación de Personas Sordas de 

Cataluña 

36. Fondation Descartes 
37. Forum on Information and 

Democracy / Forum sur l'information 
et la démocratie 

38. FTTH Council Europe 
39. GÉANT 
40. GISAD i.G. 
41. GLOBSEC 
42. ICT Coalition for Children Online 
43. IFRRO (International Federation of 
Reproduction Rights Organisations)  

44. inDICEs  
45. InfoCert S.p.A. 
46. Ingka Group | IKEA 
47. Intelsat S.A. 
48. Interactive Software Federation of 

Europe - ISFE  

49. Intergraf 
50. Internet Society 
51. LUMSA University of Rome  
52. La Coalición de Creadores e 
Industrias de Contenidos  

53. LA POSTE SA 
54. LIDER Lab Scuola Superiore 

Sant'Anna 
55. Lie Detectors 
56. MAIF 
57. Mediaset S.p.A 
58. Microsoft Corporation 

38 

 
 
59. Open Future Foundation 
60. Österreichischer 

Rechtsanwaltskammertag 

61. Qiy Foundation 
62. QUALCOMM Incorporated 
63. Région Occitanie  
64. Reporters Without Borders / 

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) 

65. Respect Zone 
66. Science Europe 
67. SMEunited 
68. SONAE 
69. Sustainable Digital Infrastructure 

Alliance e.V. (SDIA)  

70. Századvég Group 
71. Telecom Infra Project 
72. Telefónica 

73. The European Competitive 

Telecommunications Association 
(ECTA) 

74. The Federation of Finnish 

Enterprises 

75. The Global Enabling Sustainability 

Initiative (GeSI) 
76. The LEGO Group 
77. Thorn 
78. UNICEF 
79. United Nations Brussels Team  
80. University of Central Lancashire 

Cyprus campus 
81. University of Graz 
82. Wirtschaftskammer Österreichs 

(WKÖ) 

39 

 
 
 
 
ANNEX II - OVERVIEW ON THE RESPONSES  

The  table  below  provides  an  overview  on  the  example  principles  that  were  part  of  the 
Eurobarometer  survey  on  digital  rights  and  principles.  During  the  interviews,  surveyed  EU 
citizens  were  asked  to  indicate  whether  they  would  find  it  important  to  have  below  example 
principles included in a list of principles that define the European approach to digital life. 

More  details  can  be  found  in  the  Eurobarometer  report  and  the  date  annexes,  which  can  be 
accessed on the dedicated Eurobarometer webpage.26   

Table 5 – Example principles used in the Eurobarometer survey 

Example principles 

Very 
important 

Fairly 
important 

Not very 
important 

Not at all 
important  

Don’t 
know 

Children  should  be  protected  in  the 
online environment  

74% 

19% 

66% 

26% 

3% 

4% 

1% 

1% 

3% 

3% 

The  confidentiality  of  communications 
such as telephone calls or text messages 
should be protected  

A  safe  and  trusted  online  environment 
from 
where  people  are  protected 
cybercrime  and 
illegal  content  and 
goods 

including 

people  with 
Everyone, 
disabilities  or  at  risk  of  exclusion, 
should  benefit  from  easily  accessible 
and user-friendly digital public services  

Everyone  should  be  clearly  informed 
about  the  terms  and  conditions  that 
apply to their internet connection  

Everyone  should  have  secure  access  to 
their online health records (e.g. medical 
results and prescriptions) and remain in 
full control of this information 

Everyone should be able to use a secure 
and trustworthy digital identity that can 
be  used  to  access  a  broad  range  of 
public and private online services 

Europeans  should  be  protected  against 
the  risky  or  unethical  application  of 
digital  technologies  including  Artificial 
Intelligence 

Access 
enabling  everyone 

to  education  and 

to  acquire 

training 
the 

64% 

27% 

3% 

2% 

4% 

59% 

32% 

4% 

2% 

3% 

58% 

32% 

5% 

2% 

3% 

58% 

30% 

5% 

3% 

4% 

57% 

30% 

5% 

3% 

5% 

56% 

32% 

5% 

2% 

5% 

55% 

35% 

5% 

2% 

3% 

26 https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2270 

40 

 
 
                                                           
Example principles 

Very 
important 

Fairly 
important 

Not very 
important 

Not at all 
important  

Don’t 
know 

necessary digital skills to take an active 
part  in  society,  the  labour  market  and 
democratic processes 

Education to encourage critical thinking 
while  navigating the internet, including 
online social networks  

Everyone needs to be able to access the 
internet through an affordable and high 
speed connection  

Digital  products  (e.g.  mobile  phones) 
and  services  (e.g.  storing  data  and 
information online) should be produced 
and  used  so  as  to  their  harmful  impact 
on the environment  

Digital  technologies  should  help  to 
address climate  change challenges (e.g. 
weather  monitoring  and  disaster  alert 
systems and traffic management)  

Everyone should be able to benefit from 
digital  health  and  care  services  (e.g. 
telemedicine)  

Access  for  all  to  high-quality  digital 
education  (e.g.  equipment,  availability 
of courses)  

55% 

33% 

6% 

2% 

4% 

54% 

35% 

6% 

2% 

3% 

54% 

34% 

6% 

2% 

4% 

52% 

35% 

6% 

2% 

5% 

51% 

33% 

8% 

3% 

5% 

49% 

39% 

6% 

2% 

4% 

Understanding  of  digital  technologies 
should be promoted 

47% 

40% 

Everyone should be able to balance the 
time spent using digital technologies in 
a 
learning 
environment 

remote  working 

and 

47% 

38% 

7% 

7% 

2% 

2% 

4% 

6% 

Information  on  the  impact  that  digital 
products  and  services  have  on  the 
environment should be easy to obtain  

Data or information should only need to 
be  submitted  once  when  interacting 
with public administrations 

47% 

38% 

8% 

2% 

5% 

46% 

34% 

10% 

3% 

7% 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX III – OVERVIEW ON THE ANALYSED INITIATIVES ON DIGITAL RIGHTS AND 
PRINCIPLES 

The  table  below  provides  an overview  of  the  30  initiatives on  digital  rights  and  principles  that 
were selected, with  the  help  of an external  contractor, during  a desk-analysis. The selection of 
initiatives  was  done  to  ensure  a  balance  between  type  of  authors,  geographical  regions,  and 
between  initiatives  focusing  on  digital  rights  and/or  principles.  The  selected  initiatives  were 
adopted  and/or  published  between  2014  and  2021  by  EU  institutions,  international  and 
intergovernmental  organisations,  national  authorities  (including  EU  Member  States  and  third 
countries), local authorities as well as non-governmental organisations. 

The  selection  of  these  initiative  was  by  no  means  intended  to  be  exhaustive  or  to  contain  a 
judgment on their specific importance/relevance.  

Table 6 - List of identified initiatives on digital rights and principles 

Name of the initiative 

Author 

Publication date 

1. 

Lisbon Declaration on Digital Democracy with a Purpose 

Berlin Declaration on Digital Society and Value-based 
Digital Government 
Tallinn Declaration on eGovernment 

Spanish Digital Rights Charter 
Portuguese Charter on Human Rights in the Digital Age 

Portuguese Presidency of the 
Council of the EU 
German Presidency of the Council 
of the EU 
Estonian Presidency of the Council 
of the EU 
Government of Spain 
Portuguese Parliament 

June 2021 

December 2020 

October 2017 

July 2021 
May 2021 

Digital Republic Bill 

Government of France 

October 2016 

7. 
8.  Principles for a fundamental rights-compliant use of digital 

Italian Declaration of Internet Rights 

Italian Parliament 
Council of Europe 

July 2015 
December 2020 

technologies in electoral processes 

9.  Towards Regulation of AI systems: Global perspectives on 

Council of Europe 

December 2020 

the development of a legal framework on Artificial 
Intelligence systems based on the Council of Europe’s 
standards on human rights, democracy and the rule of law 
10.  OECD Recommendation on Digital Government Strategies 

OECD 

Digital Transformation - Western Balkans 

Regional Cooperation Council 

2. 

3. 

4. 
5. 

6. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

G7 Internet Safety Principles 

G20 Digital Government Principles 

G20 AI Principles - as annex to the above 

15.  G20 High Level Principles for the Children Protection and 
Empowerment in the Digital Environment - as annex to the 
above 

16.  General comment No. 25  on children's rights in relation to 

17. 

the digital environment 
ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025 

G7 

G20 

G20 

G20 

July 2014 

May 2018 

April 2021 

August 2021 

August 2021 

August 2021 

United Nations Committee on the 
Rights of the Child 
Asean 

March 2021 

January 2021 

42 

 
 
 
 
18.  The Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030) 

African Union 

May 2020 

19. 

Mercosur Digital Agenda 

Mercosur 

December 2017 

20.  Eight Guiding Principles of Digital Transformation of the 

Pan American Health Organisation 

June 2021 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

30. 

Health Sector. A Call to Pan American Action 
Digital Charter 

British Digital Charter 

Brazilian Internet Bill of Rights 

Declaration of Cities Coalition for Digital Rights 

Government of Canada 

UK Department for Digital, 
Culture, Media and Sport 
Government of Brazil 

Cities Coalition for Digital Rights 
(in partnership with UN-Habitat, 
Eurocities and UCLG) 

May 19 

January 18 

April 2014 

July 2020 

Human-Centric Digital Manifesto for Europe 

Open Society Foundations, BEUC  September 2019 

Charter of Digital Rights 

European Digital Rights (EDRi) 

June 2014 

Charter of Fundamental Digital Rights of the European 
Union 
Universal Declaration of Digital Rights 

Article 20 

ZEIT-Foundation 

November 2016 

Liberal Principles of Digitalisation and Human Rights 

Liberal International 

Charter of Human Rights and Principles for the Internet 

Internet Rights and Principles 
Dynamic Coalition 

March 2017 

April 2020 

November 2019 

43