In a nutshell: genuine simplification should make rules clearer, enforcement stronger & justice accessible.

Simplification means:
✅ Clearer rules and stronger enforcement
✅ Strengthen protections for people, not weaken them
✅ Ensure equal access to rights for all communities, especially those most affected by technology harms.

Anything less risks rolling back years of progress, putting 500 million people at risk of privacy, equality, and security breaches.
(6/n)

edri.org/our-work/deregulating…

But that’s not it: the process itself is deeply flawed. Short consultation timelines, industry-dominated “reality checks,” and optimistic impact assessments leave little room for alternative views.

That’s not meaningful participation: it creates legal uncertainty and reduces scrutiny, undermining democratic oversight, while leaving room for corporate wish-lists.

Something we have previously raised together with other 470 CSOs & trade union groups.
(5/n)

edri.org/our-work/open-letter-…

The Omnibus also targets the EU’s new AI Act before it’s even in force.

While the Act could go further, it’s a major step for accountability, transparency and fairness in AI. Cutting or delaying it now would create legal uncertainty & make it harder to enforce rights.

Meanwhile, the Commission’s other plans – like “AI Continent”, “Apply AI” - push for massive AI adoption at the risk of trampling privacy, environmental protections & public accountability
(4/n)

edri.org/our-work/open-letter-…

Data protection is under threat. Part one of the Omnibus tackles data flows. But “simplifying” could blur the lines between what’s personal and what’s not.

The #DataGovernanceAct already left cracks: fuzzy consent rules, weak post-sharing protections, and shaky anonymisation standards.

If the Commission “simplifies” without fixing these problems, GDPR crumble.
(2/n)

edri.org/our-work/the-data-gov…

Then we have cookie banners: Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, a cornerstone of EU digital rights.

Under the pretext of “cookies annoyance”, the Commission is ready to cut on rules that protect the privacy and confidentiality of our communications.

Weakening them means more silent surveillance by companies and governments.

The fix isn’t deregulation, it’s better enforcement and privacy-by-design tools that make choices simple.
(3/n)

euobserver.com/*/ard653a0af

In the next month, the European Commission plans to drop the so-called #DigitalOmnibus, a deregulation package that could quietly rewrite digital rights in the EU.

EDRi responded to the Commission’s call for evidence, warning it’s not an administrative tidy-up but a political step that treats rights as “red tape,” weakening protections and boosting corporate influence ➡️ edri.org/our-work/consultation…

Let’s unpack it 🧵

The FSFE is meeting Apple at the European Union Court of Justice 🧐

On October 21, we will participate in the hearing of the #DMA litigation against #Apple

👀 What does this case mean for #FreeSoftware and what is at stake?

fsfe.org/news/2025/news-202510…

Today the Support of Windows 10 is over

💡As a user, you should have the right to choose your operating system

🖥️ If you buy a computer with a pre-installed Windows license that you don’t want to use, you can request a refund💸.

“You should not have to pay for software you do not want. Manufacturers and vendors have no right to impose specific operating systems on users” @llas Refund4Freedom co-coordinator.

👉 fsfe.org/news/2021/news-202103…

How to request a refund 👉 en.refund4freedom.org/

🚨 From Big Tech to Big Regulator?

That’s the case for 🇮🇪 newly appointed Data Protection Commissioner - with Meta on their CV. This raises serious doubts about impartiality and trust in GDPR enforcement.

With 40 CSOs, we’re calling on the European Commission to step up and protect the independence of data protection authorities across Europe.

Because only with truly independent regulators can we have credible rights enforcement.

Read the full open letter 👉 edri.org/our-work/open-letter-…

🇩🇪#Chatkontrolle jetzt offiziell von der Tagesordnung für den 14.10. gestrichen🥳: data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/d…

⚠️Bundesregierung arbeitet aber weiter an eigenem Vorschlag.
🗓️Nächstes EU-Innenministertreffen ist am 6./7.12.

🚫📡🔐Mission: Keine Massenscans, keine Hintertüren!