23.1.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 23/3
(12) The promotion and implementation of the Declaration is a shared political commitment and responsibility of the EU and its Member States within their respective competences and in full compliance with EU law.
The Commission will regularly report to the Parliament and the Council on the progress made.
The Member States and Commission should take into account the digital principles and rights as laid down in this Declaration when cooperating in view of achieving the general objectives as set out in the Decision on the ‘Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030’.
Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade We aim to promote a European way for the digital transformation, putting people at the centre, built on European values and EU fundamental rights, reaffirming universal human rights, and benefiting all individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.
We therefore declare: CHAPTER I Putting people at the centre of the digital transformation 1.
People are at the centre of the digital transformation in the European Union.
Technology should serve and benefit all people living in the EU and empower them to pursue their aspirations, in full security and respect for their fundamental rights.
We commit to: a) strengthening the democratic framework for a digital transformation that benefits everyone and improves the lives of all people living in the EU; b) taking necessary measures to ensure that the values of the EU and the rights of individuals as recognised by EU law are respected online as well as offline; c) fostering and ensuring responsible and diligent action by all actors, public and private, in the digital environment; d) actively promoting this vision of the digital transformation, also in our international relations.
CHAPTER II Solidarity and inclusion 2.
Technology should be used to unite, and not divide, people.
The digital transformation should contribute to a fair and inclusive society and economy in the EU.
We commit to: a) making sure that the design, development, deployment and use of technological solutions respect fundamental rights, enable their exercise and promote solidarity and inclusion; b) a digital transformation that leaves nobody behind.
It should benefit everyone, achieve gender balance, and include notably elderly people, people living in rural areas, persons with disabilities, or marginalised, vulnerable or disenfranchised people and those who act on their behalf.
It should also promote cultural and linguistic diversity; c) developing adequate frameworks so that all market actors benefiting from the digital transformation assume their social responsibilities and make a fair and proportionate contribution to the costs of public goods, services and infrastructures, for the benefit of all people living in the EU.
Connectivity 3.
Everyone, everywhere in the EU, should have access to affordable and high-speed digital connectivity.
We commit to: a) ensuring access to high-quality connectivity, with available Internet access, for everyone wherever in the EU, including for those with low income;