Have your say – Digital Europe programme
You can also get involved in forming EU laws. The European Commission offers a platform “Have your say” with the list of all new EU initiatives open for public consultation. You need to register to write your feedback: ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say
Digital Europe programme – interim evaluation
About this initiative: The Digital Europe programme aims to bring digital technology to businesses, the public and public administrations.
Feedback period: for stage 2 and 3 it is 27 June 2024 – 20 September 2024
Feedback from Europeans for Safe Connections
We, “Europeans for Safe Connections” (ESC), would like to comment on six key capacity areas.
To the question “Are the programme’s objectives and activities relevant to current and future challenges and needs?“
we answer “they are relevant BUT these objectives are not enough – there should also be other objectives“.
- High-performance computing
We think that besides high-performance computing there should also be low-energy computing.
EXPLANATION:
The internet relies on a vast infrastructure of data centres, data farms and hubs which consume significant amounts of energy. Current network design prioritizes cost and capacity, often neglecting energy efficiency. ESC advocates for a shift towards making energy efficiency a core design principle for future networks and equipment. Wired connections, particularly fibre optics, are preferable as they offer substantial energy savings, reduce harmful radiation, and enhance data security. This aligns with the EU’s Green Deal and environmental goals.
- Artificial intelligence
We think that deploying trustworthy artificial intelligence is a very responsible task and there should be institutions for regulation and citizens’ protection.
EXPLANATION:
Regulatory bodies are necessary to ensure that AI technologies are developed and used in ways that protect citizens’ rights and safety.
- Cybersecurity and trust
We think that cybersecurity and trust is very relevant and therefore we advocate for decentralisation and the right to analogue solutions.
EXPLANATION:
More efforts must be taken to build up cybersecurity in a meaningful way, both adhering to privacy policies and to the security of the companies. We see again and again that sensitive data are suddenly leaked to criminal elements, and security breaches cause massive danger situations for private and public companies. We think it is time to take a closer look at whether the ever increasing centralisation of big data and sensitive data is a sound way forward. Criminal cross border elements grow ever more skilled in hacking and obtaining sensitive data, and carelessness among staff not of ill will also cause massive leaks. “Widespread deployment of state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions across the European economy” is far away and a solution would be to decentralise so that hackers for example are not able to attack and turn off whole sectors of society (water, electricity, stock market etc.) No matter how secure, the criminal will always be able to find loopholes.
Along with decentralization, we also advocate for the right to stay analogue. There should always be non-digital solutions available such as cash instead of digital money, paper passports, physical ID etc. and no individual should ever be forced to use digital solutions only. This right needs to be protected in order to prevent infringement of fundamental freedoms.
- Advanced digital skills
We think that advanced digital skills are important, but the following should be taken into consideration:
Advanced digital skills must be taught in higher education. However, we want to raise a warning not to let this spill over into lower-level schooling, leading to constantly increasing demands based on university-level criteria.
According to the UNESCO 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report and the OECD’s PISA 2022 study the excessive use of digital devices in schools is associated with adverse impacts on the academic performance of children and adolescents.
- Adoption and best use of key digital technologies
In this context you must not forget the implementation of cabled connections.
EXPLANATION
Cabled connections are more stable and reliable than wireless connections. Furthermore, the WHO has emphasized the need for a pollutant-free environment for healthy development, particularly for children. More and more research points to the fact that wireless technologies have the capability to harm health, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Despite the known risks, economic interests often overshadow health concerns in political discussions. The number of wireless technologies is still growing rapidly and some devices are transmitting at higher power than they used to.
Furthermore, we are seeing manufacturers of wireless devices, such as mobile phones, remove power-saving settings. These settings ensured that some antennas were switched off when the mobile phone was not in use at a particular time. This also saved battery, keeping users much less exposed to radiation.
- Semiconductors
Care must be taken not to explore landscapes and nature for mining purposes to a degree where we end up with a Europe reduced to a moon landscape. And we must not exploit 3rd world countries in the same manner. In the pursuit of being self supportive in the area, we must maintain high ethical standards and let nature preservation come before nature exploitation. Mining must be carried out in a way not to destroy the land and the water reservoirs.
Best regards
Europeans for Safe Connections
This feedback was sent from a wired internet connection
– No use of harmful radiation
– Less electricity consumption
– Increased data security
Link to our feedback: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13880-Digital-Europe-programme-interim-evaluation/F3490804_en
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