The benefits and shortcomings of the Media Freedom Act

Why is the Media Freedom Act so important and what are its flaws that need to be fixed?

 Posted on November 23, 2022  |  5 minutes  |  1022 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

In mid-September, the European Commission published a proposal for the long-awaited legislation to strengthen the freedom and independence of media. The proposal focuses on a series of binding rules and recommendations on media independence from politicians, state funding of advertising and cross-border mergers. This legislation has been long awaited at the European level and its arrival is welcome. However, in its current form, the proposal has a few flaws that need to be fixed. [Read More]
Media Freedom Act  media independence 

Negotiations on political ads have begun

Stricter rules for political ads are necessary

 Posted on April 22, 2022  |  3 minutes  |  483 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

The French presidential election campaign has been another example of a run for the best political advertising. Not the only one. Also, some other past ones—such as Brexit or the election of Donald Trump—confirmed that political advertising must be regulated. As we have seen in the case of communication and disinformation, misleading targeted messages can also negatively affect democratic principles. In November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising. [Read More]
disinformation  political advertising  transparency  surveillance advertising 

Russia demonstrates how AI can be abused

Three significant gaps in the AI Act

 Posted on March 22, 2022  |  3 minutes  |  573 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) is one step closer to its adoption. In mid-March, as the opinion rapporteur I presented the draft opinion of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT). Remote biometric recognition, e-proctoring, and artificial intelligence in media. These are priorities for the upcoming negotiations that must not be forgotten in the proposal. Ban of facial recognition without exceptions At present, we can see how the Russian regime abuses facial recognition systems to detect protesters. [Read More]
Artificial Intelligence  facial recognition 

Who chose your vacation?

The dangers and pitfalls of surveillance advertising

 Posted on September 30, 2021  |  4 minutes  |  693 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

Had you been choosing where to go on vacation this year and since then, advertisement for the best vacation—whether in Europe or overseas—was popping up at you during every action on-line? That happens due to so-called targeted, surveillance advertising. Its advertisers and intermediaries know everything about you. How old you are, where you live, what your hobbies are, what pages you’re browsing, and also that you are planning your vacation. I consider widespread on-line surveillance unacceptable. [Read More]
Digital Services Act  Digital Markets Act  disinformation  surveillance advertising  transparency 

Greater benefits for users and a fairer digital market

Five main areas in which we need to amend the Digital Markets Act

 Posted on September 3, 2021  |  5 minutes  |  1016 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

The fall has come and the negotiations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) resume. As shadow rapporteur, I have put together a total of 139 amendments, which aim at filling the gaps in the Commission’s proposal. This important legislation should redress unequal market conditions, give smaller companies market space and introduce more options for users thanks to diverse competition. More about the Digital Markets Act, you can read in my previous blog post. [Read More]
Digital Markets Act  FOSS  Free Software  interoperability  Open Source 

Deeds instead of false promises

How my work in the European Parliament improves transparency

 Posted on July 15, 2021  |  5 minutes  |  941 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

How are we doing in changing the way the European Parliament works? We pursue digitization, voting by roll call, and transparency of taxpayers’ money spending. Prior to the European Parliament elections in 2019, one of the main Pirate priorities was a free Europe that needed to be upgraded. European policy making should be more transparent and closer to the people. And since my election, I have been working hard on it. [Read More]
cyber security  FOSS  Free Software  Open Source  remote voting  transparency 

Chatting with friends across platforms and the end of the solo game of big players

What will the Digital Markets Act bring?

 Posted on June 15, 2021  |  7 minutes  |  1314 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

The case of WhatsApp’s new terms & conditions and the subsequent sharing of user’s data with Facebook has been trending in the on-line world during recent months. Many users were looking for a feasible solution and switched to alternative chat platforms. However, many of them also came back to stay in touch with friends who have chosen not to leave. WhatsApp’s story only emphasizes how dependent we are on dominant platforms. [Read More]
Digital Markets Act  interoperability  data combining 

NGOs call for a ban on facial recognition without loopholes

The Commission's proposal could enable mass and discriminatory surveillance

 Posted on June 14, 2021  |  6 minutes  |  1195 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

Last week, digital rights and consumer protection organizations around the world called for a global ban on facial recognition technologies. As I already wrote in one of my previous articles, these systems can pose a risk to fundamental rights as they enable mass and discriminatory surveillance by both governments and corporations. Especially, the pandemic has opened the door to data collection and tracking on an unimaginable scale. How? NGOs raised their voice in favor of the ban The use of facial recognition technology is becoming widespread. [Read More]
Artificial Intelligence  facial recognition 

Internet users beware

With new European legislation, changes are coming that will interest you

 Posted on May 31, 2021  |  6 minutes  |  1136 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

With the current pandemic, the time we spend on the Internet has increased. Every day, we are on social networks or we use one of the thousands of on-line services, such as on-line market places or file sharing platforms. Anyway, the main legislation setting the rules in this area has remained mostly unchanged for more than two decades. The Digital Services Act should help us to face the challenges of the present. [Read More]
content moderation  COVID-19  Digital Services Act  disinformation  hate speech  notice and action 

Leaked Commission's plan on artificial intelligence

Four significant gaps

 Posted on April 20, 2021  |  6 minutes  |  1258 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

The proposal of the Regulation on the European Approach for Artificial Intelligence was not to be published until April 21. However, last week, Politico published a leak of a regulation draft. Therefore, we can look at it under scrutiny now and analyze the key points that need to be changed. What is going on? The new legal framework should be given to artificial intelligence (AI). Although its use brings many benefits to the society; on the other hand, risks and threats as well. [Read More]
Artificial Intelligence  censorship  content moderation  FOSS  Free Software  open technologies  Open Source  transparency