We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, when it comes to the ePrivacy Regulation, on which work began in 2017.

On 22 March 2021, a group of journalists and activists published a letter they had received from the non-existent “Agency of National Security” on their social media profiles, informing them that they were subject to surveillance. The letter was accompanied by a message notifying them that it is part of a campaign launched by EDRi member Panoptykon Foundation that aims to demonstrate the problem of unscrutinised powers of intelligence agencies.

The Digital Freedom Fund prepared an animation explaining the SIN versus Facebook case, in which Panoptykon Foundation fights against private censorship online. WATCH

Polish government’s proposal for a new law on “protecting free speech of social media users” introduces data retention, a new, questionable definition of “unlawful content”, and an oversight body (Free Speech Council) that is likely to be politically compromised. In this context, “Surveillance and Censorship Act” would be a more accurate name.

AI systems will soon determine our rights and freedoms, shape our economic situation and physical wellbeing, affect market behaviour and natural environment. With the hype for ‘problem-solving’ AI, claims for (more) accountability in this field are gaining urgency. Summary of the IGF 2020 session: Aiming for AI explainability: lessons from the field.

Dutch Foundation The Privacy Collective has sued tech giants Oracle and Salesforce for their online advertising practices. In the Netherlands alone, these two companies are processing millions of people’s data in a manner that is not GDPR compliant. Panoptykon stands with The Privacy Collective in wanting this case to go to court so that the companies can be held accountable.

In our submission to the DSA consultation, we propose a set of measures aimed at addresing the troubling societal and individual costs generated by business models of large online platforms.

Katarzyna Szymielewicz participated in the Webinar “Privacy & Tracing Apps – Why Standards Matter” organized by Alexandra Geese (MEP). Recording now available via YouTube.

Do Polish political parties microtarget voters? What is the role of Facebook? How to regulate (political) advertising? Read our new report — Who (really) targets you? Facebook in Polish election campaigns.