The Digital Rights Observatory carries out more than 20 actions to disseminate and protect rights in the digital sphere

In its first six months of activity, the Digital Rights Observatory, an open, inclusive and participatory space, a pioneering initiative promoted by the Government of Spain to inform citizens of the advances, advantages and challenges in the field of digital rights, highlights the organisation of more than 20 events, seminars and interviews, among other initiatives, to help combat online inequality and discrimination and to encourage the adaptation of the legal framework to current technological challenges.

These actions, some of which were held prior to their presentation in February 2025 by the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, have addressed issues such as equality in the digital world, rights in the workplace, data protection, the challenges posed by emerging technologies, digital sex-based violence, privacy and youth participation in public life, among others.

In addition to the work developed at a national level, a course has been held at an international level to promote and defend digital rights. This was an online training course held between April and May and promoted by the Catholic University of Uruguay, with a special focus on the reality of Latin American countries.

The Digital Rights Observatory also carries out different dissemination formats to bring the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation closer to citizens. Among them, the monthly podcast 'El algoritmo que sabía demasiado' [The Algorithm That Knew Too Much], which uses references to film and culture to explore the ethical and social dilemmas posed by the digital world, has already published five episodes. In addition to this format, a further ten or so audiovisuals illustrate some of the main challenges in this field through testimonials and micro-reports with various experts.

Promoted by Red.es, a public entity that is part of the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function through the Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, this innovative initiative is part of the Digital Rights Programme, a public-private initiative with a budget of 10.83 million euros, financed by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan with NextGenerationEU funds, of which Red.es contributes 80%, and which involves the participation of 150 collaborating entities and 360 experts.

Analysis of progress and challenges in digital rights

One of the main objectives of the Digital Rights Observatory is to centralise information and analysis on advances and challenges in digital rights, both nationally and internationally.

Through its website, it promotes good practices in the field of digital rights and informs the public about the progress, advantages and challenges in this area, publishing material generated by the Observatory itself and by the other organisations collaborating in the Digital Rights Programme.

In this regard, work is being carried out on the preparation of various reports to understand where Spain stands in terms of digital rights and to promote good practices in areas such as transparency, data protection and labour rights, among others. Two of them, focusing on the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the social and labour sphere, are already available on the Observatory's website. The first, 'Studying causality in algorithmic decision-making: the impact of AI in business', analyses what is involved in delegating and executing functions to AI in business; and the second, 'Artificial intelligence, gender and work', raises the gender equality risks that may arise with the use of algorithms.

With this combination of reports, informative materials and spaces for debate, the Digital Rights Observatory seeks to raise public awareness, encourage reflection and promote good practices to ensure an ethical, responsible and inclusive use of technology.

Promoting the Digital Rights Charter

The Government of Spain is a pioneer in the defence of digital rights. In summer 2021, it published the 'Digital Rights Charter' which sets out the general principles to be applied in the digital world.

The Digital Rights Programme and the Digital Rights Observatory seek to guarantee rights in the digital environment and promote a balance between technological innovation and citizen protection. Rights that are protected in the digital environment include protecting the rights of minors and vulnerable groups, ensuring equal access for people with low digital skills, bridging digital divides and safeguarding privacy and security online, and protecting freedom of expression and the right to information.

To this end, experts in digital rights, representatives of public institutions, civil society organisations and professionals from the technology and legal sectors are collaborating.

Overall, since the start of the actions in 2024, 50 events have already been held, including conferences, seminars and training, among other activities, involving public organisations, private entities and citizens as a whole in nine autonomous communities (Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Valencia, Extremadura, the Basque Country, Madrid and Navarre).

Non official translation