Negotiations on political ads have begun

Stricter rules for political ads are necessary

 Posted on April 22, 2022  |  3 minutes  |  483 words  |  Marcel Kolaja

The French presidential election campaign has been another example of a run for the best political advertising. Not the only one. Also, some other past ones—such as Brexit or the election of Donald Trump—confirmed that political advertising must be regulated. As we have seen in the case of communication and disinformation, misleading targeted messages can also negatively affect democratic principles. In November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising. [Read More]
disinformation  political advertising  transparency  surveillance advertising 

Who chose your vacation?

The dangers and pitfalls of surveillance advertising

 Posted on September 30, 2021  |  4 minutes  |  693 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

Had you been choosing where to go on vacation this year and since then, advertisement for the best vacation—whether in Europe or overseas—was popping up at you during every action on-line? That happens due to so-called targeted, surveillance advertising. Its advertisers and intermediaries know everything about you. How old you are, where you live, what your hobbies are, what pages you’re browsing, and also that you are planning your vacation. I consider widespread on-line surveillance unacceptable. [Read More]
Digital Services Act  Digital Markets Act  disinformation  surveillance advertising  transparency 

Deeds instead of false promises

How my work in the European Parliament improves transparency

 Posted on July 15, 2021  |  5 minutes  |  941 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

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 

I strive for transparency in the European Parliament

We have the right to know how our money is used and how our representatives vote

 Posted on March 10, 2021  |  3 minutes  |  607 words  |  Marcel Kolaja  • Other languages: cs

Since the founding of the Czech Pirate Party in 2009, we have been striving for greater transparency, especially in the case of public money – whether at the Prague City Hall, in the Chamber of Deputies, or in the European Parliament. As Vice-President of the last named, I have the opportunity to lead this fight on several battlefronts. However, these are mainly two areas: the transparency of public money spending by Members of the European Parliament and the vote in the European Parliament committees. [Read More]
remote voting  transparency