The increasing digitalization of everyday life brings many challenges. More and more basic services such as doctor's appointments, public transport tickets or communication with electricity providers are offered exclusively digitally. This excludes people who cannot or do not want to use digital services. A legal report initiated by digitalcourage now shows that a right to analog alternatives should be enshrined in the German constitution in order to prevent so-called digital coercion.
The report makes clear that there are many reasons why people avoid digital services. For some, the cost of devices and Internet connections is too high, while others lack the necessary technical skills. Privacy concerns or physical limitations can also be barriers. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, six percent of people between the ages of 16 and 74 have never used the Internet.
In this context, the NGO digitalcourage has launched a petition calling for a right to a life without digital coercion and wants to expand Article 3 of the German Constitution, which prohibits discrimination.
Sources: digitalcourage