My Data, My Right

We live in the middle of the “digital age” or “technological era”, with more and more people using information and communications technologies (ICT) in their daily lives at work and at home. Social media has a huge impact on people’s lives.

Every second someone shares a piece of information, shares a photo, makes a post about something, enters their email and name to access a website… Are we aware of the use of our own data?

This growing use of ICT is creating fundamental rights challenges. These range from concerns about privacy and the potential abuse of personal data online to the threats posed by cybercrime or large-scale surveillance operations. As a result, every citizen may, at some point, face violations of their fundamental rights, such as their right to privacy, freedom of expression or freedom of association.

The current phase, at a global level, which we all pass due to the pandemic of the Covid-19, has further highlighted the importance of the involvement of civil society and especially of young people, in the discussion on the matter of the right to privacy. Mandatory confinement and the consequent implementation of work from home, virtual classes, and the massive use of video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Google Meets, etc...) revealed a greater vulnerability of users in the way their data is treated and the level of online exposure to which they are subject. It is therefore imperative that, even in situations of exception and crisis, respect for human rights, as well as the right to privacy, should happen carefully and without gaps.

Raising young people's awareness about this issue is an essential factor and part of the solution!

Included in article n. 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union entitled “Protection of Personal Data” is written that everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning him or her. More than waiting for government action in this field, we need to be citizens informed, with a spirit of initiative and critical thinking to take action: it’s our data, personal information that we are talking about.

Within this context, “My data, my right!” is a Youth Exchange project which will engage 30 young people from 6 different countries. We will develop activities concerning data protection, the value of our data, focusing especially on the right to privacy as a fundamental human right to be protected.