El Ararteko insta al Ayuntamiento de Bilbao a ofrecer alternativas a la aplicación móvil para gestionar el acceso a zonas de carga y descarga

Date of article: 07/01/2025

Daily News of: 07/01/2025

Country:  Spain - Basque Country

Author: Regional Ombudsman of the Basque Country

El Ararteko ha recomendado al Ayuntamiento de Bilbao que permita a los usuarios de las zonas de carga y descarga obtener las autorizaciones necesarias mediante métodos alternativos a la aplicación móvil actualmente impuesta. Esta resolución se ha emitido tras una queja de un ciudadano que mostró su disconformidad con la obligación de utilizar una aplicación de móvil para vehículos dedicados a la distribución urbana de mercancías. 

El Ararteko solicitó información al Ayuntamiento de Bilbao y el consistorio argumentó que la obligatoriedad de la aplicación se debe a la facilidad de uso que representa para profesionales familiarizados con tecnologías móviles. 

El Ararteko cuestiona la claridad de las obligaciones establecidas para la ciudadanía en la ordenanza de estacionamiento, señalando que la normativa municipal no especifica de forma explícita la obligatoriedad de la aplicación móvil como único medio para obtener el permiso de estacionamiento en estas áreas. Esta carencia puede generar inseguridad jurídica y perjudicar el derecho de la ciudadanía a conocer claramente sus derechos y obligaciones. 

Además, esta institución ha instado al consistorio a revisar los criterios técnicos y jurídicos que sustentan esta imposición tecnológica, sugiriendo que estos deben estar orientados al beneficio de la ciudadanía y no exclusivamente a la gestión administrativa. El Ararteko enfatiza que la buena administración exige que los servicios se adapten a las necesidades de los usuarios, no a las preferencias operativas de la administración. 

Por otro lado, la resolución también se centra en la protección de datos personales, ya que la aplicación requiere la geolocalización del dispositivo móvil de los usuarios, lo cual implica un tratamiento de datos personales sensible. El Ararteko subraya que esta recogida de datos debe ser analizada a la luz del Reglamento General de Protección de Datos (RGPD) y que el Ayuntamiento debe revisar si la información recogida es adecuada, pertinente y no excesiva. También señala que la aplicación debería cumplir con los requisitos legales en materia de administración electrónica. 

Por todo ello, el Ararteko recomienda al Ayuntamiento de Bilbao que informe a la ciudadanía de forma clara y accesible sobre sus derechos y obligaciones respecto al uso de la aplicación y que valore el establecimiento de alternativas no electrónicas para aquellos usuarios que no deseen o no puedan emplear la aplicación móvil. Asimismo, aconseja al consistorio que revise la normativa de protección de datos de la aplicación y realice los ajustes necesarios para garantizar su cumplimiento.

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The Office of the Ombudsman participates in AI Roundtable Meeting for Fundamental Rights Authorities organised by MDIA

Date of article: 06/01/2025

Daily News of: 07/01/2025

Country:  Malta

Author: National Ombudsman of Malta

Dr Monica Borg Galea, the Head of Investigations and Dr Danielle Mallia, Senior Investigator, recently attended a meeting organised by the Malta Digital and Innovation Authority (MDIA), which serves as the national advisor and enabling body for national and EU policies on innovative technology and leads as a national focal point which directs and facilitates the secure and optimal uptake of digital innovation.  The purpose of this meeting was that of creating a forum for continued discussion amongst the various authorities identified by the Authority as the national authorities responsible for the protection of fundamental human rights under Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence, published in the Official Journal in July 2024 (AI Act). 

The Regulation aims at improving the functioning of the internal market and promoting the uptake of human-centric and trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI), while ensuring a high level of protection of health, safety, fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter, including democracy, the rule of law and environmental protection, against the harmful effects of AI systems in the Union and supporting innovation.  The MDIA acts as a lead Authority for the EU AI Act which requires the identification and, or designation of various authorities and bodies.   In line with the said Regulation the MDIA, which will serve as a market surveillance authority, identified and reached out to a number of authorities responsible for the protection of fundamental rights, amongst which the Office of the Ombudsman, this latter being recognized as an authority involved in the protection human rights, the elements of democracy and the rule of law.

During the said meetings the entities and authorities present discussed their functions as stipulated in the Regulation; the upcoming amendments to local legislation; and approved and adopted the Roundtable Terms of Reference aimed at encouraging long-term dialogue, discussion and cooperation between the entities involved. 

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Participation of a representative of the CHR in the conference “Let's Build a Sustainable Future: Protecting Human Rights and the Environment” in Budapest

Date of article: 03/01/2025

Daily News of: 07/01/2025

Country:  Poland

Author: Polish Ombudsman

On December 16-17 of this year, an international conference titled “Let’s Build a Sustainable Future: Protecting Human Rights and the Environment” was held in Budapest. The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary hosted the event. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange experiences and views on the future of environmental protection. Discussions included topics such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and tackling different types of pollution: water, soil, air and noise. 

Małgorzata Żmudka-Wyrwał, Chief Legal Expert in the Administrative and Commercial Law Department, represented the Commissioner for Human Rights at the event. She presented on the topic of light pollution, emphasizing that high levels of light are destructive to all living organisms. Excessive exposure to artificial light disrupts the biorhythms of plants, animals and humans. Małgorzata Żmudka-Wyrwał also highlighted specific actions taken by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard and discussed the legal regulations in Poland.

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Statement on the Government’s response to our DWP investigation

Date of article: 17/12/2024

Daily News of: 07/01/2025

Country:  United Kingdom

Author: Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Article language: en

Statement on the Government’s response to our DWP investigation
17 December 2024
JamesL

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has responded to recommendations made following our investigation into DWP's communication of changes to women's State Pension age.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Rebecca Hilsenrath, said:

‘The Government’s apology to the women affected by its failure to communicate about State Pension age changes is very significant and it is sad that women had to wait so long to hear it – sadder still that for many it came too late. I welcome the Government’s recognition that mistakes were made, and the commitment from the Secretary of State to make sure this never happens again. We look forward to hearing more about the action plan to take this work forward and we are ready to work with the Government to support change. 

‘However, the Government’s decision not to accept our recommendations in full is disappointing and will have been hard for the women to hear. 

‘Our role as a Parliamentary body is to support Parliament to hold the Government to account. Throughout this investigation, DWP indicated it would not comply with our recommendations and that is why, nine months ago, we asked Parliament to intervene.’

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Link to the Ombudsman Daily News archives from 2002 to 20 October 2011