"This initiative is very welcome", said Joe McNamee, Executive Director of European Digital Rights. "The Council of Europe has taken a crucial first step towards protecting the pillars of democracy in the digital age."

The Recommendation is a major milestone towards understanding the obligations of states and of internet companies when it comes to upholding human rights online. At a time when governments increasingly use political pressure on companies to filter and block freedom of expression and companies undermine our privacy online, a clear understanding of the legal framework is long overdue...