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Continuous improvement of the Digital Maturity Index: how do we move forward?
In the face of all the enormous changes brought about by the technological revolution we are experiencing, there are several public initiatives that are promoting a new legislative and democratic framework to guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms in the digital age. We make a brief summary of the most relevant and upcoming initiatives.
State Digital Rights Charter
The Spanish Government has recently approved one Digital Rights Charter which aims to "protect the rights of citizens in the new age of the Internet and Artificial Intelligence." The Digital Rights Charter, which is not normative in nature, proposes a frame of reference for the action of all public authorities that allows them to navigate the digital environment, taking advantage of and developing all its potential and opportunities.
The Charter compiles existing rights in different regulations and proposes new ones, such as those affecting specific environments such as artificial intelligence and the use of neurotechnologies. The six areas of protection in which the Charter is structured are:
- rights of liberty
- equality rights
- rights of participation and conformation of public space
- rights of the work and business environment
- digital rights in specific environments
- guarantees and effectiveness of rights in digital environments
In the field of “Digital rights in specific environments”, the Charter raises the novelty that the use of neurotechnologies must guarantee the control of each person over their own identity, and individual self-determination, sovereignty and freedom in the making. of decisions. It must ensure the confidentiality and security of the data obtained and must regulate the use of person-machine interfaces that could affect physical or mental integrity.
Catalan Charter for Digital Rights and Responsibilities
In Catalonia, we have since 2020 the Catalan Charter of Digital Rights and Responsibilities, which aims to promote a legislative and democratic framework to guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms in the digital age.
The Catalan Charter for Digital Rights and Responsibilities covers the following areas:
- Universal Internet access
- Open, inclusive and diversity of actors Internet governance model
- Freedom of expression and information
- Digital innovation, creation, access and distribution of knowledge
- Data protection and information privacy
- Guarantee of digital training and inclusion
- On ethics in the field of artificial intelligence and algorithmic governance in the public and private sector
- Mechanisms for safeguarding digital rights
Coalition of Cities for Digital Rights (Barcelona City Council)
In 2018, Barcelona City Council created, together with New York and Amsterdam, the alliance for the protection of people's digital rights on a global scale: the Coalition of Cities for Digital Rights (Cities Coalition for Digital Rights), which was born with the intention of proposing laws, tools and resources to protect both residents and visitors.
These cities have signed a declaration which prioritizes five principles:
- Universal and equal access to the internet + digital literacy
- Privacy, data protection and security
- Transparency, accountability and non-discrimination of data, content and algorithms
- Participatory democracy, diversity and inclusion
- Open and ethical digital service standards
Barcelona City Council has also committed to working for technological sovereignty and has launched one Manifesto for the defense of digital rights.