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Our dependence on Big Tech is no coincidence
Every free service you take from Big Tech is an investment by Big Tech in your dependency. Is there another way? Yes, there is.
Call to the Dutch government: prioritize the democratic rule of law, our freedom, security and digital autonomy
The Dutch government has recently fallen. During this government’s term, it has failed to address key challenges. Trust in government has been further damaged, democratic institutions have not been strengthened, and our security and autonomy have declined.
WhatsApp will start showing ads, switch to Signal
Meta has announced that it will begin displaying ads on WhatsApp. The ads you see on the app will be based on your data and online behavior. This will further increase the power and data monopoly of the Big Tech company, at the expense of user privacy. If there weren’t enough reasons already to use Signal instead of WhatsApp, this should surely be the final straw.
Stop Big Tech’s illusion of choice
The European Commission recently announced that both Meta and Apple will be fined for undermining consumer rights on transparent choices. Apple knowingly routes users to subscriptions in its App Store, while Meta encourages users to surrender their privacy to continue using its platform free of charge. We support action on these matters, but this is only the tip of the iceberg.
We would like to introduce: Zarlasht Zia
Zarlasht joins our team as Content & Engagement Specialist. We are happy to introduce you to her.
Pushing back against datafication of our bodies
A Dutch residential care center recently started a pilot to prevent seniors suffering from dementia from leaving their premises. Facial recognition software will recognize those people and prevent certain doors from opening. Dutch radio station BNR interviewed the IT provider’s operational director, who stated that every senior who isn’t allowed to leave but does, is one too many.
Home visits from the police are not just a problem for the activist
Recently, there has been a lot of controversy in the Netherlands about police visiting activists at their homes, and rightly so. People are getting home visits from the police after attending a protest or posting on social media. This is an intimidating practice that makes people feel unsafe participating in public debate. It harms not only these individuals, but also our society as a whole.
Yes! The current system of online advertising has been ruled illegal
The current system of online advertising has been ruled illegal by the Belgian Court of Appeal. Advertising itself is still allowed, but not in a way that secretly tracks everyone’s behavior.
We are not at the mercy of Big Tech
Concerns about digital dependence on the U.S. are the talk of the town, but the tone is fatalistic. This is unjustified: the Netherlands is full of digital talent.
Meta is going to train AI with your data: take action now!
Meta (the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp) announced that it wants to use users’ messages and images to train AI models. We urge all Instagram and Facebook users to object, and we are more than happy to explain how you can do this.
We filed a complaint against Meta
Meta makes it difficult for users to choose a feed that is not based on profiling and keep it that way. We believe this is a violation of the Digital Services Act and filed a complaint.
Break free from Big Tech, download Signal!
Our reliance on Big Tech platforms makes us vulnerable. The close relationship between political leaders like Trump and powerful tech companies raises valid concerns about using these platforms. Now is the time to break free from Big Tech and consider alternatives. Every small action counts. We encourage everyone to switch from WhatsApp to Signal to help protect our privacy and autonomy.
From OPSEC to Oops!
In the U.S., controversy has arisen over a journalist who was able to read along in a group chat of the Trump administration. It is, by any measure, a textbook case of sloppiness and irresponsibility — one that jeopardized not just information, but potentially human lives. To pin the blame on the app they were using is, at best, an attempt to deflect from their own failings.
Our use of technology
Civil society’s use of technology is of strategic importance. Now more than ever. Here’s how we’ve been developing our use of technology to better serve our organization and the communities we’re part of. And a look ahead at the biggest challenge: running data-driven campaigns, with respect to the privacy, autonomy and safety of the people involved.
Bits of Freedom introduces a shared leadership model
Starting in 2025, Bits of Freedom will be run by not one, but two directors. We’d like to explain why we think this model will better facilitate our growth and aligns with our values.