Unequal by Design? Reclaiming Digital Access  as a Fundamental Right in the EU

Pole DC	Wartość	Język
dc.contributor.author	Mazur, Viktoria	-
dc.contributor.author	Ramiro Troitiño, David	-
dc.date.accessioned	2026-04-16T08:02:18Z	-
dc.date.available	2026-04-16T08:02:18Z	-
dc.date.issued	2026	-
dc.identifier.citation	Białostockie Studia Prawnicze, Vol. 31 nr 1, 2026, s. 43-60	pl
dc.identifier.issn	1689-7404	-
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/11320/20073	-
dc.description.abstract	This article explores the EU’s evolving approach to digital inclusion, focusing on how current policies and legal frameworks address the needs of vulnerable groups. Despite ambitious targets under the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030, large disparities persist along lines of age, education, geography, and migration status. Drawing on recent Eurostat data, legal analysis, and case studies from Member States, the article identifies key structural and design-based barriers that prevent meaningful participation in the digital society. It argues that digital inclusion must go beyond infrastructure and skills training to become a guaranteed right, integrated into enforceable legal standards. The analysis highlights both progress and critical gaps in EU policy, such as a lack of binding subgroup targets and uneven accessibility provisions. The article concludes with concrete recommendations for turning digital inclusion from an aspirational value into a legal, operational, and measurable component of European citizenship.	pl
dc.language.iso	en	pl
dc.publisher	Faculty of Law, University of Białystok; Temida 2	pl
dc.rights	Uznanie autorstwa-Użycie niekomercyjne-Bez utworów zależnych 4.0	-
dc.rights.uri	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/	-
dc.subject	digital inclusion	pl
dc.subject	EU policy	pl
dc.subject	vulnerable groups	pl
dc.subject	digital divide	pl
dc.title	Unequal by Design? Reclaiming Digital Access as a Fundamental Right in the EU	pl
dc.type	Article	pl
dc.rights.holder	© 2026 Viktoria Mazur, David Ramiro Troitiño published by Sciendo. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.	pl
dc.identifier.doi	10.15290/bsp.2026.31.01.03	-
dc.description.Email	Viktoria Mazur: viktoria.mazur@taltech.ee	pl
dc.description.Email	David Ramiro Troitiño: david.troitino@taltech.ee	pl
dc.description.Affiliation	Viktoria Mazur - Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia	pl
dc.description.Affiliation	David Ramiro Troitiño - Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia	pl
dc.description.references	Ayata, Z. (2024). European Union contracts in digital environments. In D. Ramiro Troitiño (Ed.), E-governance in the European Union: Strategies, tools, and implementation (pp. 173–185). Springer Nature Switzerland.	pl
dc.description.references	Cheesman, M. (2022). Digital wallets and migration policy: A critical intersection. The Dialogue on Tech and Migration, DoT.Mig. https://www.bosch-stiftung.de/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/2022–06/Digital%20Wallets%20and%20Migration%20Policy.pdf	pl
dc.description.references	Costa, M. I. (2023). The legal concept of discrimination by association: Where does it fit into the digital era? UNIO–EU Law Journal, 9(1), 16–28.	pl
dc.description.references	de la Guardia, R. M. (2005). La política europea de España después de su integración en las Comunidades. Cuadernos europeos de Deusto, 32, 61–84.	pl
dc.description.references	Djatmiko, G. H., Sinaga, O., & Pawirosumarto, S. (2025). Digital transformation and social inclusion in public services: A qualitative analysis of e-government adoption for marginalized communities in sustainable governance. Sustainability, 17(7), 2908. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072908	pl
dc.description.references	Droutsas, N., Spyridonis, F., Daylamani-Zad, D., & Ghinea, G. (2024). Web accessibility barriers and their cross-disability impact in esystems: A scoping review. Computer Standards & Interfaces, 92, 103923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csi.2024.103923	pl
dc.description.references	Dullaert, I., Weitzberg, K., Schoemaker, E., & Martin, A. (2024). The European Digital Identity Wallet: Why it matters and to whom. Caribou Digital Publishing.	pl
dc.description.references	European Commission. (2021, 9 March). 2030 Digital Compass: The European way for the Digital Decade (COM(2021) 118 final).	pl
dc.description.references	European Commission. (2024a). Bridging the digital divide: 95% of learning agreements fully digital by 2025. https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/news/bridging-the-digital-divide-95-of-learning-agreements-to-be-fully-digital-by-2025	pl
dc.description.references	European Commission. (2024b). The second Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025–2027. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2612	pl
dc.description.references	European Commission. (2025a). 2025 State of the Digital Decade package. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu	pl
dc.description.references	European Commission. (2025b). European Commission adopts new round of EU Digital Identity Wallet implementing regulations. https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/spaces/EUDIGITALIDENTITYWALLET/pages/909706465/New+round+of+EU+Digital+Identity+Wallet+implementing+regulations+adopted	pl
dc.description.references	European Parliament and Council. (2018, 28 February). Regulation (EU) 2018/302 on Addressing Unjustified Geo-Blocking and Other Forms of Discrimination Based on Customers’ Nationality, Place of Residence or Place of Establishment within the Internal Market.	pl
dc.description.references	European Parliament and Council. (2019, 17 April). Directive (EU) 2019/882 on the Accessibility Requirements for Products and Services (European Accessibility Act).	pl
dc.description.references	European Parliament and Council. (2022, 14 December). Decision (EU) 2022/2481 on a Policy Programme ‘Path to the Digital Decade’ (O. J. L 323, 19.12.2022, pp. 4–26). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32022D2481	pl
dc.description.references	European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). (2023). Fundamental rights of older people: Ensuring access to public services in digital societies. https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2023/fundamental-rights-older-people-digital-societies	pl
dc.description.references	Eurostat. (2023a). Digital skills in 2023: Impact of education and age. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20240222–1#:~:text=In%202023%2C%2055%25%20of%20people,individuals’%20levels%20of%20digital%20skills.	pl
dc.description.references	Eurostat. (2023b). Digital society statistics at regional level. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Digital_society_statistics_at_regional_level	pl
dc.description.references	Eurostat. (2024a). Digital economy and society statistics – households and individuals. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Digital_economy_and_society_statistics_-_house_holds_and_individuals	pl
dc.description.references	Eurostat. (2024b). Skills for the digital age. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?oldid=627685	pl
dc.description.references	Eurostat. (2025). Towards Digital Decade targets for Europe. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Towards_Digital_Decade_targets_for_Europe	pl
dc.description.references	Ferretti, F. (2022). A single European data space and data act for the digital single market: On datafication and the viability of a PSD2-like access regime for the platform economy. European Journal of Legal Studies, 14, 173–218.	pl
dc.description.references	Giovanola, B. (2023). Justice, emotions, socially disruptive technologies. Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 26(1), 104–119.	pl
dc.description.references	Gomes, A., & Dias, J. G. (2025). Digital divide in the European Union: A typology of EU citizens. Social Indicators Research, 176, 149–172.	pl
dc.description.references	Hamuľák, O. (2016). National sovereignty in the European Union: View from the Czech perspective. Springer.	pl
dc.description.references	IDMO. (2023). Digital Media Literacy Gaps and Needs. Italian Digital Media Observatory. https://www.idmo.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IDMO-Digital-Media-Literacy-Gaps-and-Needs_EN_final_compressed.pdf	pl
dc.description.references	IRIS CoE (Council of Europe). (2024). Media literacy and the empowerment of users (IRIS 2024–2). https://rm.coe.int/iris-2024–2-media-literacy/1680b06196	pl
dc.description.references	Judgment of the District Court of Prešov of 6 November 2023 on the case of Rozsudok v. Mene Slovenskej Republiky, no. 18C 96/2022–254.	pl
dc.description.references	Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 17 January 2017 on the case of Jankovskis v. Lithuania, application no. 21575/08.	pl
dc.description.references	Kerikmäe, T., Ramiro Troitiño, D., & Shumilo, O. (2019). An idol or an ideal? A case study of Estonian e-governance: Public perceptions, myths and misbeliefs. Acta Baltica Historiae et Philosophiae Scientiarum, 7(1), 71–80.	pl
dc.description.references	Laaninen, T. (2025). Media literacy: Fostering a key civic skill in a digital information environment. European Parliamentary Research Service. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/ document/EPRS_BRI(2025)772886	pl
dc.description.references	Maatsch, A. (2024). Parliamentary adjustment during a crisis: Interplay of digitalization and domestic context factors. Internet of Things, 27, 101316.	pl
dc.description.references	Mokrá, L. (2023). Digitally sovereign individuals: The right to disconnect as a new challenge for European legislation in the context of building the EU digital market. In D. Ramiro Troitiño, T. Kerikmäe, & O. Hamuľák (Eds.), Digital development of the European Union: An interdisciplinary perspective (pp. 189–197). Springer International Publishing.	pl
dc.description.references	Morte-Nadal, T., & Esteban-Navarro, M. A. (2025). Recommendations for digital inclusion in the use of European digital public services. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1–15.	pl
dc.description.references	Negreiro, M. (2015). Bridging the digital divide in the EU. European Parliamentary Research Service. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2015)573884	pl
dc.description.references	OECD. (2024). OECD Survey on Drivers of Trust in Public Institutions – 2024 results: Country notes (Denmark and Estonia). https://www.oecd.org/governance/trust-in-government/	pl
dc.description.references	Outeda, C. C. (2024). The EU’s AI Act: A framework for collaborative governance. Internet of Things, 27(3):101291.	pl
dc.description.references	Peeters, R., Miller, S. M., & Schuilenburg, M. (2025). Digital government inclusion: Exploring strategies for inclusive government automation. Government Information Quarterly, 42(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2025.102028	pl
dc.description.references	Perifanou, M. A., & Economides, A. A. (2020). Gender digital divide in Europe. International Journal of Business, Humanities and Technology, 10(4), 7–14.	pl
dc.description.references	Poradňa pre občianske a ľudské práva – Center for Civil and Human Rights. (2025). Prešov District Court ruling in digital divide and access to education case. https://poradna-prava.sk/en/strategic-litigation/presov-district-court-ruling-in-digital-divide-and-access-to-education-case/	pl
dc.description.references	Reid, M., Aleti, T., Figueiredo, B., Sheahan, J., Hjorth, L., Martin, D. M., & Buschgens, M. (2024). Factors influencing seniors’ anxiety in using ICT. Social Sciences, 13(9):496. https://www.mdpi.com/2076–0760/13/9/496?utm_source=researchgate.net&utm_medium=article	pl
dc.description.references	Rek, M. (2024). E-democracy in the EU. In D. Ramiro Troitiño (Ed.), E-governance in the European Union: Strategies, tools, and implementation (pp. 103–115). Springer Nature Switzerland.	pl
dc.description.references	Reuters. (2024, 19 April). EU to invest $1.5 billion in region’s deep tech sector. https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-invest-15-billion-regions-deep-tech-sector-2024–10–29/	pl
dc.description.references	Rivera Pastor, R., Tarín Quirós, C., Villar García, J. P., Badia Cardús, T., & Melero Nogués, M. (2017). Language equality in the digital age: Towards a Human Language Project – now! Scientific Foresight Unit (STOA). https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/598621/EPRS_STU(2017)598621_EN.pdf	pl
dc.description.references	Röggla, M. (2025). Addressing the discriminatory effects of the EU geo-blocking regulation on minority groups. Eurac Research Science Blogs. https://doi.org/10.57708/BH0ZZX9-YSS655UM0M110IW	pl
dc.description.references	Rūse, I. (2014). Nordic–Baltic interaction in European Union negotiations: Taking advantage of institutionalized cooperation. Journal of Baltic Studies, 45(2), 229–246.	pl
dc.description.references	Sánchez-García, J., Ochoa Siguencia, L., Gródek-Szostak, Z., Ochoa-Daderska, R., Kopiec, A., Szeląg-Sikora, A., Velinov, E., Sikora, J., Niemiec, M., & Akarcay, Y. (2021). Adult social inclusion in a digital environment: Digital needs for social services. ASIDE Report II. https://zenodo.org/records/5516367	pl
dc.description.references	Shah, H. (2023). Advancing web accessibility: A guide to transitioning design systems from WCAG 2.0 to WCAG 2.1. 15th International Conference on Web Services & Semantic Technology, 15, 233–245.	pl
dc.description.references	Statistics Estonia. (2024). Daily internet use by age groups. https://stat.ee/en/news/929-estonian-households-use-internet-social-media-increasingly-popular	pl
dc.description.references	Stein, V., Pentzold, C., Peter, S., & Sterly, S. (2022). Digitalization and civic participation in rural areas: A systematic review of scientific journals, 2010–2020. Raumforschung und Raumordnung / Spatial Research and Planning, 80(3), 251–265. https://doi.org/10.14512/rur.112	pl
dc.description.references	Tabassum, S., Mathew, N., & Faklaris, C. (2025). Privacy on the move: Understanding educational migrants’ social media practices through the lens of communication privacy management theory. COMPASS ‘25: Proceedings of the ACM SIGCAS/SIGCHI Conference on Computing and Sustainable Societie. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3715335.3735453	pl
dc.description.references	Troitiño, D. R. (2022). The European Union facing the 21st century: The digital revolution. TalTech Journal of European Studies. 12(1), 60–78.	pl
dc.description.references	Vaportzis, E., Giatsi Clausen, M., & Gow, A. J. (2017). Older adults’ perceptions of technology and barriers to interacting with tablet computers: A focus group study. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(1687). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01687	pl
dc.description.references	Zac, A., Huang, Y., Moltke, A., Decker, C., & Ezrachi, A. (2025). Dark patterns and consumer vulnerability. Behavioural Public Policy, 1, 1–50. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:c4f6a1b3–838a-49e7-b0d6–2f9d6b05cdb7	pl
dc.identifier.eissn	2719-9452	-
dc.description.volume	31	pl
dc.description.number	1	pl
dc.description.firstpage	43	pl
dc.description.lastpage	60	pl
dc.identifier.citation2	Białostockie Studia Prawnicze	pl
dc.identifier.orcid	0009-0003-2212-1057	-
dc.identifier.orcid	0000-0002-0542-5724	-
Występuje w kolekcji(ach):	Białostockie Studia Prawnicze, 2026, Vol. 31 nr 1

Pliki w tej pozycji:

Plik	Opis	Rozmiar	Format
BSP_31_1_V_Mazur_D_R_Troitiño_Unequal_by_Design.pdf		190,38 kB	Adobe PDF	Otwórz

Pokaż uproszczony widok rekordu Zobacz statystyki

Pozycja ta dostępna jest na podstawie licencji Licencja Creative Commons CCL