Empowering the Ombudsman to (co)protect citizen's digital rights

Just as the rest of society, governments worldwide are increasingly digitized. This offers many advantages, like efficiency and speed. However, it also entails risks: think of discrimination by AI, loss of personal data and autonomy, or being given the digital runaround. The consequences can be dire with citizens who end up being denied government services, exposed to penalties or severe violations of human rights. In those cases the Ombudsman is, in many countries, seen as a last resort. 

But what if Ombudspersons could better anticipate these challenges for both governments and citizens, and monitor developments in a timely and active manner? To this end, the Ombudsman of Amsterdam, in collaboration with Digital Rights House, drafted the “Ombudsman Principles for Digital Dignity and Fairness” as a first attempt at a framework of standards. On 10 December, Human Rights Day, the first version of the principles will be presented to the world. 

Until then, we are eager for your feedback and suggestions. Join us for this workshop and help us improve the principles, so that they can truly help Ombudspersons worldwide to (co)protect the digital rights of citizens.