Plans 2026

Want to know more about the programs? Read our strategic plan 2025 - 2027🔗Multi-Year Strategy PDF.

In 2026 we will strive for a new and as sound as possible act governing secret services. We will urge for an informed public debate about what secret services may and may not do. We want to engage as many people as possible by organizing gatherings for civil society organizations, policy makers and journalists. In addition we will campaign to make people aware of what’s going on. No power without counter-power.

If Trump gets his way, the Netherlands will be put on hold. Currently, the American government has access to the most extensive surveillance infrastructure and datasets the world has ever seen. That has to change. We campaign for highlighting the urgency of digital sovereignty. Moreover, we support NGO’s in cutting their dependence on American Big Tech. One way we do this is by counselling organizations on the migration to alternatives. It is time to change course.

Anyone targeted by an algorithm is at risk of being treated unpredictably and unfairly. In 2026 we will remain critical of algorithms and AI used by the authorities. We investigate how those algorithms work and if the use of algorithms complies with the applicable legislation. Where necessary we will of course take (legal) action to stop any intentional and unintentional discrimination. We will also use our findings to advocate (the preservation of) sound legislation.

In our lawsuit against Meta late 2025 the court couldn’t have said it any clearer: Meta had to modify its platforms to make it possible for users to actually choose which information they want to see. Early 2026 we will take stock: has Meta followed the court’s instructions? If not, we will again take legal action to enforce compliance with the law. Early 2026 Meta’s appeal will also be heard. We will give it our all to make sure that we will repeat our victory!

Late 2025 the governments of the European Member States reached agreement on the proposed regulation aimed at protecting children and young people against online sexual abuse. This marks the start of a new phase in 2026 with secret negotiations between the European Commission, European Parliament and the governments of the Member States. We will take part in those negotiations through the Dutch government and Dutch members of the European Parliament, making every effort to establish a right to communications confidentiality.

In 2026 we will turn our technical research to the popular platforms Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram. We will research the extent of the impact of gamification elements on Snapchat, the impact of profiling recommendation systems in TikTok’s comment sections and the user experience in Instagram’s profiling timeline. Further to our research we will provide well-founded policy advice on upcoming laws like the Digital Fairness Act. We also expect to find potential violations of current laws, in which case we will launch enforcement actions. It’s long overdue for online platforms to comply with the law on all fronts.

Many major online platforms have been designed in a way that influences the choices of users and gets them addicted. In 2026 we look forward to the first legislative proposal that will regulate these practices: the Digital Fairness Act (DFA). We will lobby to make sure that policy makers will put citizens’ interests first - and not Big Tech’s wallets. We want clearly defined and enforceable rules that put a stop to addictive design. Our goal: a free and safe internet where people have control over their online environment.

We will use a new tool to hear from affected groups: Action research. One of the groups that we will focus on in 2026 are young people. Risks like addictive design, large-scale data collection and the influencing of behavior and emotions by algorithms are on the rise. All the more reason to talk with young people about what their most secure and free world looks like. Another area of focus is the social domain. We interact with affected groups at the interface of healthcare, wellbeing and safety to learn how we can stop government services from using antisocial and discriminatory algorithms.

Lastly we will direct our action research at bodily integrity. Together with affected groups we will take a stand against the profiling advertising industry to ensure that we regain control of our health data.

With the annual Big Brother Awards we call attention to individuals, corporations and authorities guilty of gross violations of citizens’ freedom of communication and privacy. Awarded to the crassest violators of our digital rights, these are perhaps the least popular “prizes” to win. The 2026 edition of the Big Brother Awards will be even more special as it will be the 20th anniversary. The winning violators will be thrust into the glare of our spotlights!

Bits of Freedom is thriving. As our staff grows, so does the volume of work we handle and with it our impact on subjects that truly matter. We love our current office, but it is bursting at the seams. In 2026 we will move to a location that is a better fit (literally!) for our team and our way of working. This physical step feels like the cherry on top, after the transition our organization has gone through these past years. Of course we will celebrate this new milestone with an office warming. We hope to see you there!