-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: EDRi-gram 16 July 2026: Turning up the heat – Commission backs social media bans, Apple held accountable, summer to-dos, & more! Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:25:17 +0200 From: EDRi - European Digital Rights <edrigram@edri.org> EDRi-gram 16 July 2026: Turning up the heat – Commission backs social media bans, Apple held accountable, summer to-dos, & more! "EDRi-gram" <https://edri.org/> Dear supporters, We've only been away from your inbox for two weeks, and it's been a whirlwind of a time. Let's catch you up on how the EU is keeping the heat simmering on tech issues while undergoing record-breaking heatwaves. Earlier this week, the *European Commission's panel of experts on child safety disappointingly backed indiscriminate age verification* to exclude people under 13 from accessing online spaces – despite many young people across Europe calling for systemic change <https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2089712/youth-organisations-demand-soc...> rather than bans. All this does is create barriers for everyone rather than engendering real safety, which requires looking at root causes and making online services safer for everyone. Last week, the European Parliament was bullied – by its own President – to *vote on the interim ePrivacy derogration (sometimes known as "Chat Control 1.0") for a record-breaking third time* in four months. This law allows Big Tech companies to monitor their users' private communication to scan for child abuse materials – without warrants, suspicion or any legal basis or oversight. Although the temporary derogration was voted through due to procedural technicalities, the majority of Members of Parliament (MEPs) voted against it and excluded scanning of end-to-end encrypted message – sending *a strong message against mass surveillance.* In this EDRigram, you can read our open letter to the European Commission, urging them to *immediately reassess the EU-US adequacy decision* after the US Supreme Court ruled <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/29/us-supreme-court-ftc-ruling-...> that President Trump can remove the leaders of independent agencies and commissions. Also in this edition: a collective civil society call to the EU to *take much-needed action on spyware* after forensic analysis by the Citizen Lab <https://citizenlab.ca/research/member-of-committee-investigating-spyware-hac...> revealed that a former MEP was targeted with Pegasus spyware while investigating spyware abuse as a part of the PEGA committee. On a positive note, in what EDRi-member Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) hailed as a major win for computer users and developers, the *Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has held Apple accountable* <https://fsfe.org/news/2026/news-20260708-01.en.html>*under the Digital Markets Act* and rejected the challenge to interoperability obligations. *This edition is our last hurrah before a necessary summer break*. But we're leaving you with an extended recommendations list to explore, and the reassurance that we'll still be hard at work to protect our rights and freedoms online and building a more just digital future. If you'll miss us over the summer, show us some love by supporting us with a donation <https://edri.org/take-action/donate/> and/or sending this edition to friends who would enjoy your favourite digital rights newsletter! * *Privacy and Surveillance* o Hadopi law (2009–2026) <#privacyarticle1> o The digital rulebook is fit for purpose: better enforcement is needed, not simplification <#privacyarticle2> o The Digital Omnibus is going on summer break. Your rights are not. <#privacyarticle3> o Joint Statement: Pegasus in the European Parliament, the EU Must Act Now <#privacyarticle4> o Proposed Europol reform dangerously erodes privacy, automates surveillance, and sidelines oversight <#privacyarticle5> o When the facts change, adequacy must be reviewed <#privacyarticle6> * *EDRi's Recommendations <#rec>* * *Jobs & Events <#jobs>* <https://edri.org/our-work/edri-annual-report-2025-championing-digital-rights...> EDRi Annual Report 2025: Championing digital rights in the deregulation era In 2025, the EU entered an era of deregulation in which hard-fought digital rights protections are being diluted. With our long-term vision for digital futures in mind, *EDRi's work in 2025 focused on protecting digital rights legislation and advocating for human-centred perspectives*. We also adopted our new agile and responsive strategy which will guide our work for the next five years. *Explore our Annual Report for 2025* <https://edri.org/our-work/edri-annual-report-2025-championing-digital-rights...>, validated by the EDRi network at our May 2026 General Assembly. <https://edri.org/our-work/hadopi-law-2009-2026/> Hadopi law (2009–2026) EDRi member, La Quadrature du Net <https://www.laquadrature.net/> The French Administrative Supreme Court ruled in favour of La Quadrature du Net, French Data Network (FDN), Franciliens.net and Fédération FDN *by recognising that the Hadopi law’s surveillance system that aims to combat illegal file sharing breaches fundamental rights protected by the European Union*. The government has been ordered to repeal the key provisions of this decree. It is now up to the government to acknowledge the end of this law and finally accept that the non-commercial sharing of culture online must not be criminalised. *Read more* <https://edri.org/our-work/hadopi-law-2009-2026/>. The digital rulebook is fit for purpose: better enforcement is needed, not simplification EDRi <https://edri.org/> EDRi responded to the European Commission’s consultation on the Digital Fitness Check, *emphasising the importance of the rights-based digital framework developed over the years*. Rather than simplifying people's rights protections, it should focus on stronger enforcement and closing gaps. Only in this way, the EU can continue to lead in building a digital environment that works for people, democracy and innovation alike. *Read more* <https://edri.org/our-work/the-digital-rulebook-is-fit-for-purpose-better-enf...>. The Digital Omnibus is going on summer break. Your rights are not EDRi <https://edri.org/> In November 2025, the European Commission presented the Digital Omnibus as a simplification package for EU digital rules. Since then, *the AI Omnibus has been adopted, weakening the AI Act* before key safeguards fully apply. The Data Omnibus is still moving through the Council and European Parliament, covering the Data Acquis, GDPR and ePrivacy rules. Decisions on it will be waiting after summer, with the same basic problem: *a deregulation agenda sold as simplification, with weak evidence, rushed process and real risks for people*. *Read more* <https://edri.org/our-work/the-digital-omnibus-is-going-on-summer-break-your-...>. Joint Statement: Pegasus in the European Parliament, the EU Must Act Now EDRi <https://edri.org/> A Citizen Lab analysis revealed that former MEP Stelios Kouloglou, a member of the PEGA committee investigating spyware abuse, was infected with Pegasus during that very inquiry. The incident confirms the EU's failure to tackle the spyware crisis, nearly three years after PEGA's recommendations. *Civil society is now calling for an independent investigation and urgent EU action*. *Read more* <https://edri.org/our-work/joint-statement-pegasus-in-the-european-parliament...>. Proposed Europol reform dangerously erodes privacy, automates surveillance, and sidelines oversight Protect Not Surveil Coalition The plan legalises previously unregulated IT systems, lowers the threshold for processing biometric and other sensitive data, and lets Europol bypass its own data protection watchdog when it deems action "urgent." Oversight is further weakened as key checks shift to an internal, non-independent unit, *raising serious concerns for an agency already found guilty of rights violations.* *Read more* <https://edri.org/our-work/proposed-europol-reform-dangerously-erodes-privacy...>. When the facts change, adequacy must be reviewed EDRi <https://edri.org/> and 36 civil society organisations Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Trump v. Slaughter, *EDRi and other 36 civil society organisations and academics have urged the European Commission to immediately reassess the EU-US adequacy decision*. The ruling undermines one of the safeguards on which the Commission relied when concluding that personal data transferred to the United States receives an adequate level of protection. *Read more* <https://edri.org/our-work/when-the-facts-change-adequacy-must-be-reviewed/>. Support the EDRi-gram, donate today! <https://edri.org/take-action/donate/> [🎧 *listen*] *Avatar.FM* <https://www.cpdpconferences.org/avatar-fm>*by **Privacy Salon* <https://www.privacysalon.org/>*and **Gimic.* <https://gimicradio.com/> During this year's CPDP event, Avatar.fm presented a fantastic programme of conversations, discussions and creative performances from the digital rights world. Topics covered included potential social media bans in Europe, the Fediverse, spyware abuses, chatbots and image-generated abuse. *Experts and activists unpacked everything about data and AI-related subjects, with DJ sets and music woven in*. Tune in *here*. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzBbWyePDCc&list=PLD4umW_zqstkalcNgaXIzCKD-e...> [🎧 *listen*] *Recommender Systems* <https://www.dataskeptic.com/podcast/recommender-systems> by *The Data Skeptic podcast* <https://www.dataskeptic.com/about>, hosted by Kyle Polich. Recommender systems have infiltrated our video watching, travel planning, social media feeds, and other daily activities. This season's interviews on The Data Skeptic podcast*explore the methods, implementations, and consequences of these ubiquitous systems.* *[📰 read] LGBT Q&A: How Can I Wipe Online Data That Points To My Queer Identity? <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/07/lgbt-qa-how-can-i-wipe-online-data-points-my-queer-identity>* by *EFF.* <https://www.eff.org/>**As a part of LGBT Q&A, *EFF are answering your most pressing queer-related digital rights questions.* Both online and offline, LGBTQ+ individuals and the fight for queer liberation are under threat; and the need for guidance and protection from prying eyes and oppressive structures is increasingly pertinent. *[🏃🏿 do]* Explore *Deceptive Patterns* <https://deceptive.design/> – the types, relevant laws, and other resources. *Deceptive patterns trick people into doing things they didn't mean to.* Also known as "dark patterns," they're features of apps, websites and AI systems that stop you doing what you want, or steer you into harmful decisions you would not have made deliberately. *[📰 read] Hate "The Algorithm?" RSS Is One of the Tools You've Been Looking For <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/06/hate-algorithm-rss-one-tools-youve-bee...> by EFF <https://www.eff.org/>.* In the age of enshittification, there has been a push to reclaim our feeds and networks. EFF notes that t*here's a tool that's been around for decades that can help wrangle many of our feeds into something manageable*: Really Simple Syndication, more commonly known as RSS. *[📰 read] The cost of data centre growth in Ireland: Households paid an estimated €715 million more in electricity bills <https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/news/the-cost-of-data-centre-growth-in-ireland-households-paid-an-estimated-715-million-more-in-electrici/>* by *Friends of the Earth Ireland <https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/>* and *Beyond Fossil Fuels <https://beyondfossilfuels.org/>*. The new report by both organisations reveals the real cost borne by ordinary people in Ireland due to data centres' rapid expansion in the country. *Households in Ireland paid an estimated €715 million more in electricity bills between 2015 and 2023 due to the rapid expansion of data centres* in the country. The research comes as the European Commission is looking to triple data centre capacity in the next five to seven years in a market so far largely dominated by US Big Tech companies. *[📰 read] Big Finance and Big Tech are Looting the AI Boom <https://www.balancedeconomy.org/latest/data-centre-361hfaldby-21fdbafw>* by *Balanced Economy Project <https://www.balancedeconomy.org/>*. This paper argues that *the global rush to build AI data centres has rapidly become a story of concentrated financial power manufacturing a market that has captured governments and lawmakers*, pushing risks and costs onto the rest of society. It documents how the AI data centre boom has been driven not by organic consumer demand but by a concentrated alliance between dominant technology corporations and the world's largest financial actors at every level of the AI supply chain. *[📰 read] Media representation of AI in Italy <https://hermescenter.org/iniziative/la-rappresentazione-mediatica-dellia-in-italia-il-nostro-ultimo-report/>* by *Hermes Centre <https://hermescenter.org/>*. In their latest report, EDRi member Hermes Centre analyse *how artificial intelligence is covered in four major Italian newspapers, exploring the dominant narratives, key actors, and missing perspectives in media coverage.* Their findings indicate limited discussion of the AI Act, a focus on techno-optimism and corporate-centred narratives, and limited representation of civil society and affected communities. Read the full report in Italian or the executive summary in English. "Jobs and events" ***7amleh* | Admin and Finance Officer <https://edri.org/take-action/careers/7amleh-is-hiring-for/> | Remote, France *The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH)* | Digital Fundraising and Growth Strategist & Director of Major Gifts, Individual and Family Giving <https://edri.org/take-action/careers/center-for-countering-digital-hate-is-h...> | Remote – US East Coast - Remote (option of hybrid in Washington DC) *Sovereign Tech Agency* | Communications Lead & Programme Manager: Fellowship & Standards <https://edri.org/take-action/careers/sovreign-tech-fund-is-hiring/> | Berlin, Germany (hybrid possible) *Green Screen Coalition* | Programme Assistant (Mid-Level) <https://edri.org/take-action/careers/green-screen-coalition-is-hiring-for/> | Berlin preferred *CONCORD* | Consultant – Strategic Communications, Visibility & Fundraising <https://edri.org/take-action/careers/concord-is-hiring-for/> | Brussels preferred (remote considered) 18/06 - 17/12｜*Digital Rights Monthly Socials* <https://edri.org/take-action/events/digital-rights-monthly-socials/>｜by by Team CommUNITY (TCU) 04/09 - 09/09｜*Global Gathering 2026* <https://edri.org/take-action/events/global-gathering-2026/>｜by Team CommUNITY (TCU) 29/09 - 30/09｜*Bitkom Privacy Conference <https://edri.org/take-action/events/bitkom-privacy-conference-pco26/>*｜by Bitkom e.V. 02/10 - 03/10｜*re:publica Vienna <https://edri.org/take-action/events/republica-vienna/>*｜by republica GmbH & Momentum Institut (in cooperation with Kulturhaus Brotfabrik) 07/10 - 07/10｜*EU DisinfoLab 2026 Annual Conference* <https://edri.org/take-action/events/eu-disinfolab-2023-annual-conference/>｜by EU DisinfoLab 08/10 - 10/10｜*Conference Digital Commons: Infrastructures, Design, and the Ethics of Autonomy* <https://edri.org/take-action/events/conference-digital-commons-infrastructures-design-and-the-ethics-of-autonomy/>｜by The Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University & the Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” 09/10 - 10/10｜*re:publica x New Fall Festival <https://edri.org/take-action/events/republica-x-new-fall-festival/>*｜by republica GmbH (in partnership with New Fall Festival) 13/10｜*Brussels Privacy Symposium 2026 <https://edri.org/take-action/events/brussels-privacy-symposium-2026/>*｜by Brussels Privacy Hub (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) & Future of Privacy Forum 21/10｜*Digital Rights and Equality Symposium <https://edri.org/take-action/events/digital-rights-and-equality-symposium/>*｜by Oxfam Ireland & UCD College of Social Sciences and Law 12/12 - 14/12｜*IGF 2026 - Internet Governance Forum* <https://edri.org/take-action/events/igf-2026-internet-governance-forum/>｜by United Nations (IGF Secretariat, hosted by UN DESA) 27/12 - 30/12｜*40th Chaos Communication Congress* <https://edri.org/take-action/events/40th-chaos-communication-congress-40c3/>｜by Chaos Computer Club (CCC) *About us* European Digital Rights is a dynamic collective of 50+ NGOs, experts, advocates and academics working to defend and advance digital rights across Europe. We advocate for robust and enforced laws, inform and mobilise people, promote a healthy and accountable technology market, and build a movement committed to digital rights in a connected world. Find EDRi on *Mastodon* for digital rights news updates <https://eupolicy.social/@edri>. *Support our work <https://edri.org/take-action/> to defend your rights online.* *SUPPORT THE EDRi-GRAM, DONATE TODAY!* <https://edri.org/take-action/donate/> EDRi-gram Coordinator: Chiara Miraglia <https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiara-miraglia/> EDRi-gram Editors: Shubham Kaushik <https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaushikshubham24/>, Chiara Casati <https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiara-casati-a204252b2/> EDRi-gram Graphic Designer:Tim Colmant <https://timcolmant.com/> If this newsletter has been shared with you and you'd like to sign up, click here. <https://edri.org/take-action/edri-gram/> Web <https://edri.org/> Linkedin <https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-digital-rights> Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/europeandigitalrights/> Youtube <https://www.youtube.com/c/EuropeanDigitalRights>