Tag: surveillance

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E-ID: DECENTRALISED STORAGE AND RIGHT TO ANONYMITY ARE ADDITIONAL PIRATE SUCCESSES IN FINAL TRILOGUE MANDATE

Brussels, 15/03/2023 – On Thursday, the European Parliament is expected to formally adopt its final position on the European Electronic Identity (e-ID), before going into trilogue negotiations with the Council of the European Union. In addition to privacy successes in the leading industry Committee, Pirate Party MEPs were able to implement additional data protection safeguards into the final text via the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE). Most importantly the content of a user’s identity wallet, which may include sensitive medical data, payment data or criminal records, would be stored on the user’s device only unless they explicitly choose that an external cloud copy should be kept. The text also protects the right to use digital services anonymously by providing that digital services should be provided without electronic identification or authentication where reasonably possible. 

Via the lead industry Committee Pirate Party MEPs had already made sure that Member States will not have to establish a unique personal identification number for every citizen. The source code used for providing European Digital Identity Wallets would be open source, that non-users of the voluntary eID scheme would not suffer disadvantages and would be able to use alternative means of identification or authentication. Pirates have not been able to prevent the mandatory acceptance of government browser certificates but there will be exceptions.

Pirate Party MEP Patrick Breyer, who negotiated the bill in the Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE), comments:

“We successfully pushed for the addition of a provision ensuring that services are normally provided without electronic identification or authentication wherever reasonably possible. I’m glad that we thus countered the risk that the anonymity online that protects us from profiling and online crime is gradually eroded. We further managed to ensure that the content of a user’s identity wallet, which may include sensitive medical data, payment data or criminal records, would be stored decentrally on the user’s device only unless they explicitly choose that an external cloud copy should be kept. After all, nobody keeps a duplicate of a person’s physical wallet, either. Decentralized data storage protects our data from hacks and identity theft.

While the e-ID can be an important tool for the modernization and digitization within the EU, the European Commission’s initial proposal was problematic and put users’ data needlessly at risk. That’s why in the trilogue negotiations, my Pirate Party colleague Mikuláš Peksa, who is in the negotiating team as Shadow rapporteur will fortunately continue the fight to protect our personal data and right to anonymity online.”

The e-ID will allow EU citizens to prove their identity via mobile app, access public and private services online, pay online and facilitate everyday situations. Driving licences or medical prescriptions could also be stored in the “Wallet App”.

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The Need for Belgium’s Pirate Party: Protecting Freedoms

The Importance of the Pirate Party

In today’s world, the internet and its freedoms are increasingly threatened. Governments around the world are limiting access to information and stifling free speech. Belgium is no exception. As these threats grow, the need for a political party that will fight to protect individual liberties becomes more pressing. This is where the Pirate Party comes in. In Belgium, the Pirate Party is dedicated to defending privacy rights, promoting freedom of speech, and ensuring transparency in government.

A Brief History of the Pirate Party in Belgium

The Belgian Pirate Party was founded in 2009, drawing inspiration from the Swedish Pirate Party that emerged in 2006. The party is a member of the Pirate Party International, a global movement that advocates for internet freedom, digital civil rights, and government transparency. Since its inception, the party has been at the forefront of the fight for individual liberties in Belgium.

The Threat to Freedoms in Belgium: Why We Need the Pirate Party

In recent years, Belgium has seen an erosion of individual liberties. The government has been cracking down on free speech and limiting access to information. The Pirate Party is needed to counteract these threats and protect individual liberties. By ensuring transparency in government, promoting privacy rights, and defending freedom of speech, the Pirate Party is working to safeguard the rights of all citizens.

Protecting Freedom of Speech: A Core Tenet of the Pirate Party

The Pirate Party believes in the fundamental right to freedom of speech. This right is essential for democracy and must be protected at all costs. The party is committed to challenging censorship and ensuring that all voices are heard. By promoting free speech, the Pirate Party aims to create a society where citizens are free to express themselves without fear of retribution.

Privacy Rights and the Pirate Party

The Pirate Party is dedicated to protecting privacy rights. The party believes that citizens should have the right to control their personal information and data. With the increasing amount of data collected by governments and corporations, the Pirate Party aims to ensure that privacy is protected. The party advocates for strong privacy laws and works to raise awareness about the importance of privacy rights.

Intellectual Property and Copyright: The Pirate Party’s Stance

The Pirate Party is opposed to strict intellectual property laws and supports more flexible copyright laws. The party believes that current copyright laws are overly restrictive and harm creativity and innovation. The Pirate Party supports a model that allows for free sharing of ideas and information while still ensuring that creators are compensated for their work.

The Need for Transparency in Government: An Ideal of the Pirate Party

The Pirate Party believes in transparency in government. The party aims to increase access to information and promote open government. By ensuring that citizens have access to information, the Pirate Party believes that it will be possible to hold government officials accountable for their actions. Through transparency, the party hopes to create a more just and equitable society.

Giving a Voice to the People: The Pirate Party’s Democratic Values

The Pirate Party is committed to democracy and believes that citizens should have a say in how their government operates. The party supports direct democracy and is committed to ensuring that citizens are able to participate in the decision-making process. By giving a voice to the people, the Pirate Party aims to create a more democratic and participatory society.

The Pirate Party’s Position on Net Neutrality

The Pirate Party supports net neutrality. The party believes that all internet traffic should be treated equally, without discrimination or censorship. The party is committed to fighting against internet service providers that attempt to control or limit access to certain content. The Pirate Party believes that a free and open internet is essential for democracy and innovation.

The Role of the Pirate Party in the Global Fight for Internet Freedom

The Pirate Party is part of a global movement dedicated to internet freedom. The party is committed to working with other groups and individuals around the world to create a more just and equitable society. By collaborating with others, the Pirate Party hopes to create a world where individual liberties are protected and democracy is upheld.

Collaboration with Other Parties: The Pirate Party’s Approach

The Pirate Party is open to collaboration with other political parties. The party believes that by working together, it will be possible to create a more just and equitable society. The Pirate Party is committed to finding common ground with other parties while still remaining true to its core values.

The Importance of Supporting the Pirate Party in Belgium

The Pirate Party is an essential force in the fight for individual liberties in Belgium. By promoting transparency in government, defending privacy rights, and advocating for freedom of speech, the Pirate Party is working to create a more just and equitable society. With the increasing threats to individual liberties, the need for the Pirate Party has never been greater. By supporting the party, citizens can help to ensure that their rights are protected and that democracy remains strong.

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Interdiction de la reconnaissance facial dans l’espace public

“Une bonne raison d’envoyer des Pirates à l’Assemblée ? Il faut pouvoir stopper la reconnaissance biométrique faciale, avec un travail de fond qui s’appuie sur la recherche et la documentation existante. Au @PartiPirate on y est opposé.”

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Geheime diensten

Geheime diensten hebben de opdracht om onze vrije en open samenleving te verdedigen. Daarvoor mogen zij vergaande bevoegdheden inzetten. Die moeten effectief zijn, maar ook gebruikt worden binnen de kaders die de democratische rechtsstaat daarvoor stelt. De inzet van die bevoegdheden vindt in het geheim plaats en de gevolgen van die inzet kunnen erg ingrijpend zijn. Voor de veiligheid van onze digitale infrastructuur, of door de grote schaal waarmee de geheime diensten er gegevens mee verzamelen. Daarom is goed toezicht op het werk van de geheime diensten essentieel. Bits of Freedom waakt over onze internetvrijheid en privacy online. Wij houden zowel het werk van de diensten als dat van hun toezichthouders in de gaten.

Wat speelt er?

De geheime diensten willen en kunnen steeds meer en ongerichter gegevens verzamelen, verwerken en delen.

Met zogenaamde bulkbevoegdheden, zoals het sleepnet, verzamelen zij enorme bergen gegevens van miljoenen burgers per keer. Daarmee komen burgers en hun communicatie steeds vaker, gemakkelijker en dus completer in het vizier van de geheime diensten.

Anderzijds staat het toezicht op de geheime diensten onder druk. Door een gebrek aan bindende bevoegdheden is het niet mogelijk voor de toezichthouder (CTIVD) om daadwerkelijk in te grijpen als het erop aankomt. Bijvoorbeeld wanneer de geheime diensten tegen de wet in onze gegevens bewaren en gebruiken. De positie van de toetsingscommissie (Tib) die de verzoeken om ingrijpende bevoegdheden in te zetten vooraf toetst en wél bindende bevoegdheden heeft, dreigt te worden uitgehold

(Lees verder op de site Bits of Freedom)