CDT Europe at the Tech and Society Summit
On October 1, CDT Europe, in collaboration with over 40 civil society organisations, co-hosted the Tech and Society Summit in Brussels. This landmark event provided a platform for nonprofit organisations to address a range of urgent issues, including digital rights, climate action, corporate accountability, and social justice. The summit fostered critical dialogue between lawmakers and civil society, marking a significant step toward collaborative policymaking.
Picture of the Residence Palace hallway where the Summit took place, with the sign of the EDRi’s petition.
Many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU officials participated in the summit. Following introductory remarks from co-hosts, attendees engaged in dynamic discussions and roundtables focused on crafting accountable, people-centric policies that promote digital rights for all.
Our Secretary General Asha Allen contributed to a roundtable exploring how civil society can best support EU institutions. She emphasised the vital role of civil society in identifying harms and proposing actionable policy solutions. This session created an invaluable space for exchanging lessons learned and best practices related to civil society participation in the policymaking process and the enforcement of EU laws.
CDT Europe also engaged in two additional roundtables: the first one addressed the urgent need for spyware regulation in the EU, given its significant risks to fundamental rights and the core values of the EU. Another roundtable focused on developing an effective, rights-respecting EU digital enforcement strategy.
Beyond the panels and roundtables, participants had the opportunity to engage with experts at the Action Desks—interactive spaces designed for personalised support and tangible solutions to pressing challenges. CDT Europe played an active role in the Antispyware Clinic, where experts from Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline provided mobile security checks.
During the summit, CDT Europe officially launched a new civil society alliance aimed at combating spyware abuse across the EU and beyond. This coalition, known as the Spyware Coordination Group, unites 15 leading civil society and journalism organisations in a collective fight against the misuse of spyware technologies.
The dialogues initiated at the Tech and Society Summit are crucial for expanding civic space and fostering collaboration across sectors, ensuring meaningful participation in policymaking. As technology increasingly shapes our lives, it is imperative that we work towards a future that prioritises justice, safety, and security for people and the planet—not merely profit.
