Advocacy

Privacy International's submitted its input to the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty ahead of the presentation of his thematic report to the UN Human Rights Council titled "Social protection: a reality check".
PI's submission highlights the impact of digitalisation, automation and intrusive data collection on access to social protection.

Privacy International delivered oral and witness statement to first WHO Intergovernmental Negotiating Body consultation for an International Pandemic Treaty.

Privacy International submitted its input to the forthcoming report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR) on the practical application of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) to the activities of technology companies, to be presented at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2022.

Our submissions address the systemic lack of transparency and accountability of the technology industry, in particular in its relationships with governments and authorities. We recommend concrete measures to ensure human rights standards are applied and upheld in the activities of technology companies, and when their products and services are used by governments for surveillance and public decision-making.

Privacy International (PI) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) submitted their contribution for the second session of the Ad-Hoc Committee mandated to develop a UN Cybercrime Treaty. While the organisations are not convinced a global cybercrime treaty is necessary, we believe that any UN Cybercrime Treaty must ensure the respect and protection of human-rights.

On 2 March 2022, Privacy International intervened during the first session of the the Ad Hoc Committee responsible for drafting a potential United Nations Cybercrime Treaty.

In our intervention we focussed on the scope of the proposed treaty and the safeguards necessary to ensure human rights are respected.

A mere eight months after we wrote to the Home Office seeking clarification on their initial response to our correspondence regarding the Aspen Card, they have replied. This accompanied their response to our Freedom of Information Request.

PI has repeatedly called for authoritative guidance on the use of data to political parties and other organisations involved in political campaigns. Last November, the Council of Europe Committee on Convention No.108 adopted its Guidelines on the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data by and for Political Campaigns, following a thorough process of consultation to which PI participated.

PI welcomes these very comprehensive Guidelines.

Our recommendations for the EU's Digital Markets Act as it goes into the trilogue negotiations stage.

Privacy International joined organizations and academics working around the world to urge member states in the Ad Hoc Committee responsible for drafting a potential United Nations Cybercrime Treaty to ensure human rights protections are reflected in the any future treaty. The first session of the Ad Hoc Committee will begin on January 17th.

The proposed treaty will likely deal with cybercrime, international cooperation, and access to potential digital evidence by law enforcement authorities, as well as human rights and procedural safeguards.