Digital rights under siege as governments and corporations tighten control
Digital civil society is facing growing challenges as governments and corporate powers tighten control. Despite attempts to silence dissent and cut off funding, activists and independent media continue to push for a fairer future. Recent shifts in politics and technology have intensified the struggle for rights and freedoms across Europe and the U.S.
In Germany, a coalition of centre-right and centre-left parties is weakening the legal protections designed to safeguard fundamental freedoms. The erosion of these safeguards has raised concerns among civil society groups, who argue that democratic principles are under threat.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., a far-right president has aligned closely with tech billionaires, shaping policies that favour corporate interests over public welfare. This partnership has emboldened moves to restrict digital rights and limit opposition. The European Commission is also under scrutiny for proposing measures that would suspend consumer protections to accelerate AI development. Critics warn that such steps could leave citizens vulnerable to exploitation in the rush to advance technology. Yet resistance persists. Digital civil society organisations are finding ways to amplify their voices, creating platforms for solidarity and activism. Independent media, too, plays a key role. The editorial team behind PROFILE magazine, led by Janina Nagel and Rebecca Mallmann since issue 6/2025, has revitalised the publication with a mix of continuity and innovation. Based in Cologne, they plan to deepen ties with the perfumery industry in 2026 while keeping the magazine relevant through open collaboration and fresh perspectives.
The pressure on civil society and media grows as political and corporate forces reshape legal and digital landscapes. But activists, journalists, and independent voices refuse to back down. Their efforts to defend rights and foster solidarity suggest the fight for a fairer future is far from over.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
