The European Pirate Party stands for the protection of fundamental rights in both the physical and the digital spheres. We detest measures targeting the personal liberties and freedoms of individuals.
The Right to Self Determination
We consider the people’s right to responsible self-empowerment and self-determination as self-evident. We advocate for using digital infrastructure to enhance citizen participation in decision-making processes.
The Right to Internet Access
The respect for fundamental freedoms and liberties should naturally flow to the digital world. Internet access allows us to participate in an increasingly digitally-driven society. Whereas access to the internet has rapidly become a standard within the European Union, there are still many that have not been able to enjoy its potential.
We believe that the right to internet access should be effectively guaranteed across the EU, both in terms of coverage and quality. Everyone should be able to enjoy access to the internet under favorable conditions. In keeping with current standards, the quality of internet access should be sufficient to allow persons to be able to sufficiently partake in digital affairs.
Access should be provided without unreasonable difficulties, burdens, or costs.
The Right to Privacy
Everyone should have the right to privacy, which includes the right of individuals to control their own personal information and to be free from pervasive surveillance. As a fundamental human right, respect for privacy is essential to safeguard the interests of individuals and prevent abuse by governments and those in power. Privacy includes the right to discretion and the right to be anonymous, both online and offline. Anonymity does not relieve any person of responsibility for their actions.
People who constantly feel watched and under surveillance cannot freely and courageously stand up for their rights and for a just society. Surveillance, distrust, and fear risk gradually transforming our society into one of the uncritical consumers who have “nothing to hide” and - in a vain attempt to achieve total security - are prepared to give up their freedoms. We do not want to live in such a society. We believe in accountability in the collection and use of personal data and advocate for robust data protection laws that give individuals control over their own personal information. To preserve our rights and freedoms, and to ensure the effectiveness of law enforcement, Pirates demand that personal data collection and monitoring be limited to persons who are suspected of committing or preparing a crime (targeted investigations). Pirates wish to abolish the practice of routine, automated, and untargeted data collection, storage, and matching. We advocate for a moratorium on new legislation for mass surveillance or bulk data collection on the entire population, be it on our communications, movements, Internet use, biometrics, or other citizens’ data.
Specifically, we defend the right to privacy of digital correspondence against policies to generally and indiscriminately search private chats, messages, emails, or photos automatically for suspicious content (Chat Control). We defend the right to communicate anonymously against mandatory age verification policies. Publicly accessible spaces should be free from biometric mass surveillance, including biometric identification and automated behavioral monitoring. Pirates oppose the automated profiling of people to divide them into risk categories. We reject the blanket and indiscriminate collection of communications data (data retention). Every person should have a right to use the Internet without being pervasively tracked.
Pirates oppose exchanging personal data with countries that lack effective protection of fundamental rights except in emergencies.
Adequate protection against crime is an important responsibility of the state. We must ensure this responsibility is fulfilled through an intelligent, rational, and evidence-based security policy. We, therefore, want the European Fundamental Rights Agency to systematically examine all current and future surveillance powers and programs as to their effectiveness, cost, adverse side effects, alternatives, and compatibility with our fundamental rights.
Pirates support the funding of research through the EU, however, the frequent funding of surveillance and control technologies like iBorderCtrl demonstrates a clear intention to use such technologies in a way that makes them publicly funded tools for dismantling civil rights. We, therefore, argue that the EU must not fund technologies that interfere with fundamental rights, that human rights-defending bodies and NGOs should be involved in drafting tenders and selecting applicants, and that all publicly funded project results be fully disclosed.
Freedom of Expression
Individuals shall have the right to express themselves without fear of censorship or retribution. The freedom of expression shall be safeguarded without restrictions to the extent to which it does not encroach on the rights and liberties of others.
We advocate for the use of open-source software, decentralized platforms, and other software that helps to facilitate the utilization of the freedom of expression. We advocate for greater protection of whistleblowers, and for laws that protect the freedom of the press and information.
The Right to Open Data
As Pirates, we believe that access to information is essential to ensure the proper functioning of our decision-making bodies. In the digital age, we advocate for the right to open data, open government, and digital access.
We believe that decision-making bodies shall be accountable for the decisions that they make. As such, information relating to the governing of our society should be freely accessible online on both the national as well as EU levels. The open government ensures that citizens are able to scrutinize decisions affecting their lives, and creates oversight of government actions by the public.
Net Neutrality
All lawful online traffic should be treated equally, regardless of the source, destination, or content of the data. Individuals shall have the freedom to access and use any lawful content, application, or service without unreasonable interference.
Personal Integrity
Individual interests shall be safeguarded from interference by public authorities or corporations. Personal identity should not be used as a tool for political or economic propagation. Discriminatory algorithms and unreasonable disclosure of personal data shall be prohibited. Public authorities shall not retain or request personal information that is not essential for the desired purposes.
Sexual Freedom
Persecution on the basis of sexual identity or orientation stands against the foundations of a free society. We detest surveillance and enforcement measures targeting sexual minorities. Policies designed to curb the rights and freedoms of persons of the LGBTQIA+ community shall be prohibited.
We stand for the formal recognition of same-sex marriages on a European scale. Such recognition shall also entail a transposition of equal rights.