European Digital Rights (EDRi) is an association of civil and human rights organisations from across Europe. They defend rights and freedoms in the digital environment.

Information technology has a revolutionary impact on our society. It has boosted freedom of communication and democracy but has also led to new approaches to surveillance and is increasingly used to impose restrictions on fundamental rights. Whenever citizens’ rights and freedoms in the online environment are endangered by the actions of political bodies or private organisations, we ensure that they are respected.

EDRi’s key priorities for the next years are privacy, surveillance, net neutrality and copyright reform.

EDRi is an international non-profit association (AISBL) under Belgium law granted by decree Nr7/CDLF/14.853/S of 12 February 2003 and registered in Brussels (n° BE0866.466.752). EDRi is registered in the EU Register of Interest Representatives under the number 16311905144-06. See public profile on the EU Register. The statutes of European Digital Rights are available in English and French.

Founded in June 2002, the Brussels office re-opened in 2009 and has expanded from one to six employees over the past years. The Board is composed of three members.

Mission

European Digital Rights’ central objective is to promote, protect and uphold civil and human rights in the digital environment.

EDRi works towards achieving its overall objectives by:

• providing policy makers with expert civil society-focused analyses of digital rights issues;
• leveraging the power of its national member organisations to ensure that challenges are addressed effectively both at the national and the European level,
• ensuring that European civil society and citizens’ interests are reflected in the global debate about the future of the internet, the information society and digital media; and
• providing a platform for its members organizations to coordinate actions, amongst themselves and with the Brussels office.