Deeds instead of false promises

How my work in the European Parliament improves transparency

 Posted on July 15, 2021  |  5 minutes  |  944 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

How are we doing in changing the way the European Parliament works? We pursue digitization, voting by roll call, and transparency of taxpayers' money spending. Prior to the European Parliament elections in 2019, one of the main Pirate priorities was a free Europe that needed to be upgraded. European policy making should be more transparent and closer to the people. And since my election, I have been working hard on it. [Read More]
cyber security  FOSS  Free Software  Open Source  remote voting  transparency 

Leaked Commission's plan on artificial intelligence

Four significant gaps

 Posted on April 20, 2021  |  6 minutes  |  1258 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

The proposal of the Regulation on the European Approach for Artificial Intelligence was not to be published until April 21. However, last week, Politico published a leak of a regulation draft. Therefore, we can look at it under scrutiny now and analyze the key points that need to be changed. What is going on? The new legal framework should be given to artificial intelligence (AI). Although its use brings many benefits to the society; on the other hand, risks and threats as well. [Read More]
Artificial Intelligence  censorship  content moderation  FOSS  Free Software  open technologies  Open Source  transparency 

Position of the European Parliament on Artificial Intelligence

Disappointing in not addressing mass surveillance properly among others

 Posted on November 16, 2020  |  4 minutes  |  762 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

Last month, the European Parliament voted on several reports regarding the future legislation on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Namely, these were reports on the framework of ethical aspects of AI, robotics and related technologies, on the civil liability regime for AI, and on so-called intellectual property rights for the development of AI technologies. I voted against all these reports for numerous reasons. Let’s take a closer look at them. In many respects, these reports reacted to the white paper on AI: a European approach to excellence and trust, which the Commission published in February. [Read More]
Artificial Intelligence  facial recognition  Free Software  Open Source  open technologies 

Who you gonna call?

Liability for Artificial Intelligence

 Posted on July 1, 2020  |  3 minutes  |  479 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

Much has already been said about the various cases of use of Artificial Intelligence and their merits in terms of how it can improve health care, correct driving of a vehicle, increase efficiency in farming, and more. However, wrong application of Artificial Intelligence might cause unintentional accidents too. That is where civil liability comes into question. The legal framework can ensure that victims are compensated for the harm they suffered and incentivize the liable party to avoid causing any damage. [Read More]
Artificial Intelligence  Free Software  FOSS  Open Source 

India: The world's largest lockdown

Contact tracing app Aarogya Setu raises privacy concerns

 Posted on May 6, 2020  |  5 minutes  |  927 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

India has adopted the largest worldwide lockdown and 1.3 billion people must stay at their homes since March 25. To prevent the virus from spreading, the Indian government developed an app called Aarogya Setu to trace COVID-19 patients or suspected cases. Recently, there have been attacks from the government on the freedoms on the Internet, so the question of the tracing app raises concerns. As a member of the delegation for relations with India in the European Parliament, I have been watching the issue of digital rights for quite some time. [Read More]
COVID-19  FOSS  Free Software  India  Open Source 

Common EU toolbox for Member States on contact tracing apps

Dos and don'ts

 Posted on April 24, 2020  |  7 minutes  |  1305 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

As part of the gradual lifting of confinement measures, the Commission published on April 16 an EU toolbox, developed by Member States for the use of mobile applications for contact tracing and warning in response to the spreading of COVID-19. This is a very timely and welcome initiative given that certain countries started to work on their own measures, often declaring state of emergency and deprioritizing fundamental rights. Poland was one of the first Western countries to roll out an app that collects large amount of personal data, including people’s location and digital photos, in order to combat the pandemic. [Read More]
COVID-19  Free Software  FOSS  Open Source 

Thoughts on the European Digital Strategy

 Posted on February 19, 2020  |  4 minutes  |  646 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

Together with the white paper on Artifical Intelligence, the Commission presented their digital strategy for the upcoming legislature: Shaping Europe’s digital future. The paper defines a three pillar strategy “that will ensure that Europe develops and pursues its own way of vibrant, globally competitive, value-based and inclusive digital economy and society." My thoughts on this: Technology that works for people Cyber security: The strategy refers to the EU toolbox for 5G as an important milestone for achieving resilience. [Read More]
cyber security  Digital Services Act  digital tax  disinformation  FOSS  interoperability  Open Source  open technologies  Free Software