The initiative, led by Red.es, is coordinated by the Hermes Foundation and involves the collaboration of 18 organizations from technology, academic, and social sectors.
Madrid, February 5 –Spain has launched the Digital Rights Observatory (ODD), a space for action and cooperation created to ensure that people can exercise their rights in the digital environment with guaranteed of security, equity, and transparency.
The ODD will work to ensure that digitalization does not lead to a loss of rights but rather becomes a source of safe and fair opportunities for all. This initiative recognizes the key role of technology in social and economic progress, while stressing that its development must align with ethical principles. Furthermore, the ODD will focus its efforts on four main areas: empowering citizens, oversight of the Digital Rights Charter, research on the social and ethical impacts of technology, and global cooperation and dialogue.
With a budget of €3.8 million, 80% of which is funded by the European Union’s Next Generation funds, the ODD aims to establish itself as a benchmark for digital rights protection in Spain and across Europe.
Luisa Alli, Secretary General of the Hermes Foundation, highlighted vulnerabilities affecting our rights daily in the digital environment during her remarks, and emphasized the commitment of all participating organizations to this joint effort.
A collaborative network to protect Digital Rights
The ODD was created under an agreement signed between Red.es and several entities from the technology, academic, and social sectors, under the coordination of the Hermes Foundation.
“At Hermes, our role will be to coordinate these efforts, bring in more partners, and disseminate information,” said Alli. “But above all, we want the Spanish Digital Rights Observatory to become a global reference.”
Participants include “la Caixa” Foundation, Telefónica Foundation, Atresmedia Foundation, San Pablo CEU University, Autonomous University of Madrid, Carlos III University of Madrid, the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (CERMI), Foundation for Sustainable Repopulation, Catholic University of Uruguay Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga, European Association for Digital Transition, Hiberus Foundation, University of Valencia, Observatory for the Social and Ethical Impact of Artificial Intelligence (ODISEIA), University of Santiago de Compostela, University of Navarra, University of Comillas, Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation, and Diario de Navarra Foundation.
This initiative is part of the Digital Spain 2026 strategy, reaffirming the country’s commitment to responsible digitalization that aligns with fundamental rights.
To learn more about the ODD, visit www.derechosdigitales.gob.es
