Keep Me Posted EU Manifesto
Protecting Consumer Rights in an Inclusive and Fair Europe
In an increasingly digital age, Keep Me Posted EU defends the fundamental right of every individual to choose how they receive essential communications—digitally or in print—without incurring penalties or disadvantages. Our vision is to create a Europe where consumer autonomy is respected, and no one is left behind by digitalization.
Our Vision
We envision a Europe where:
- Choice Is Respected: Everyone has the right to decide how they receive important information, whether digitally or in print, based on their personal preferences and needs.
- Equal Treatment of Formats: Physical communication, such as on paper, is treated on par with digital, ensuring that those who prefer physical mail are not charged extra or unfairly disadvantaged.
- Consumer Rights Are Fair and Inclusive: Both online and offline rights are protected, safeguarding accessibility for all.
Why Choice Matters
Inclusion and Equity
- Inclusion without a digital trail: Many individuals prefer not to conduct business online or leave a digital trail. Concerns about privacy, data security, and the permanence of online information drive these preferences that should be respected without judgment or disadvantage.
- Access for All: Paper-based communication ensures universal access to essential information—healthcare notices, government correspondence, and financial documents—regardless of digital skills or connectivity.
Autonomy and Comprehension
- Understanding Complex Information: Research consistently shows that printed materials improve comprehension and retention, especially for complex information. They also offer a distinct tactile experience that digital formats cannot replicate.
- Protecting Privacy: Physical mail ensures security and privacy, safeguarding against cyberattacks and phishing scams. According to research, providing physical mail as an option helps protect these vulnerable groups and ensures equitable access to secure communication. It is especially important for the elderly and marginalized communities, who are often at greater risk of cyber threats.
- Barriers to Digital Inclusion: Research indicates that digital exclusion among older adults in the European Union is not solely a matter of skills or access but also of willingness. Barriers include a refusal to use the internet, an inability to afford ICT devices or internet access, and a lack of digital literacy and skills. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of digital exclusion.
Bridging the Digital Divide
- Overcoming Barriers: With 54% of EU adults lacking basic digital skills, physical communication ensures inclusion for older adults, rural communities, and economically disadvantaged groups.
- Participation Without Exclusion: Vulnerable populations—such as older adults and those with disabilities—depend on physical mail to remain engaged with society.
Our Call to Action
- Defend Consumer Choice: Ensure every EU citizen has the right to receive essential communications in their preferred format—digital or print.
- Preserve Physical Communication: Treat physical and digital communications equally, without extra charges or penalties for choosing paper.
- Support Vulnerable Groups: Guarantee equitable access to vital information for individuals at risk of exclusion.
Digitalization Must Not Undermine Offline Rights
The EU must ensure that digitalization does not strip away the offline rights of citizens. The principle is simple: My Right. My Choice. Service providers and policymakers must respect this by offering digital and print options on equal terms.
Our Recommendations for a Fairer Europe
- Ensure Equal Access to Information: Mandate that essential communications (bills, invoices, government documents) are always available in a “durable medium” such as paper.
- Eliminate Penalties for Choosing Paper: Prevent companies from imposing fees or bureaucratic hurdles for consumers who prefer physical communication.
- Guarantee Genuine Consumer Choice: Require service providers to offer clear, easy options for receiving information in either digital or physical formats.
Join Us in Supporting Consumer Choice
Sign the manifesto to stand with us in promoting a fair and inclusive Europe. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Pledge your support here:
(By signing, you agree to be shown on our supporters’ page.)
References
Ensuring access to public services for older people in digital societies. (2023, September 13). European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. https://fra.europa.eu/en/news/2023/ensuring-access-public-services-older-people-digital-societies
Georgiadou Asteriou, M., & Gkeka, K. (2023). Digital literacy of older people in an ageing world. In People Behind, Digital Literacy of Older People in an Ageing World. https://garagerasmus.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DIGILIFE_Digital-Literacy-for-Older-People.pdf
Hussain, S., Minaz, M., Ahmed, Dr., & Idris, M. (2015). The Effects of E-reading and Printed Document Reading on Students’ Comprehension and Retention Power. In International Conference on Computational and Social Sciences. ICCSS-15.
Lu, X., Yao, Y., & Jin, Y. (2022). Digital exclusion and functional dependence in older people: Findings from five longitudinal cohort studies. EClinicalMedicine, 54, 101708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101708
Paananen, V., Rivinen, S., Tohmola, A., & Elo, S. (2024). Factors Affecting Marginalized Older Peoples’ Digital Exclusion Evaluated by Gerontological Social Work Professionals. In Communications in computer and information science (pp. 353–362). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-59080-1_25
Ragnedda, M., Ruiu, M. L., & Addeo, F. (2022). The self-reinforcing effect of digital and social exclusion: The inequality loop. Telematics and Informatics, 72, 101852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2022.101852
Wilson-Menzfeld, G., Erfani, G., Young-Murphy, L., Charlton, W., De Luca, H., Brittain, K., & Steven, A. (2024). Identifying and understanding digital exclusion: a mixed-methods study. Behaviour and Information Technology, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929x.2024.2368087
