How should progressives look at digital technology, at a time when it permeates every aspect of our lives, societies and democracies? That is the topic of this new report from FEPS and SAMAK. The main message? Digital technologies and their impact are not inevitable, but they certainly are political. Europe should democratically decide the digital future it wants, and the report offers broad outlines of a European Digital Model for a fair and sustainable digital transition. These can be regrouped under three broad headers:
First, the concentration of unaccountable power needs to be addressed, via tax policy, competition law, structural solutions, interoperability and more;
Second, Europe needs to ensure the benefits of digital tech accrue to all. This can’t be limited to redistribution, but will have to involve a measure of decentralisation, participation, and collective ways to manage data. Cities are key in this endeavour;
Third, the public sector needs to protect the public interest and citizen’s rights. This entails investments in public interest tech, responsible public procurement, binding rules on ‘AI’, and enforcement of existing laws (GDPR!).
