The principles aim to protect civil rights, democracy, and a fair and safe online environment. EU industry chief Thierry Breton said the declaration "establishes once and for all that what is illegal offline should also be illegal online" and added that their aim is “to promote these principles as a standard for the world.”
The declaration also strives to ensure that digital devices support the EU's sustainability and green transition goals by providing details on their energy consumption and environmental footprint.
The declaration is supposed to be a guide for policymakers and corporations when dealing with new technologies.
While the EU is not alone in this endeavor, EU digital commissioner Margrethe Vestager wants the bloc to be the torchbearer.
"We see similar discussions happen in Australia, in India and in the United States,” she said. “We aim to be in the forefront of this global momentum."
The EU Commission hopes to have the declaration signed by EU member states and the European Parliament by summer.
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