AGE recently participated in an event at the European Parliament to launch the “Why Choice Matters” report, part of the Keep Me Posted Campaign, in which we are proud to be a partner. This report highlights the importance of allowing people of all ages to choose how they receive essential communications – such as bank statements, government mail or invoices – by keeping paper-based options available.
The Keep Me Posted Campaign recognises that many face barriers to digital-only communication, and the EU must ensure that consumers’ accessibility, privacy, and choices are respected. The campaign is not about resisting digital progress; it is about ensuring fairness, inclusion, and protecting consumer rights.
At the event, representatives from organisations such as Inclusion Europe, European Disability Forum, ANEC, UNI Europa, and the EAPN – European Anti-Poverty Network were present alongside AGE Platform Europe. Supported by several MEPs, we discussed the growing impact of digital exclusion and the importance of guaranteeing an inclusive digital transition that leaves no one behind.
Digitalisation and older people: our call to EU Policy Makers
Together with our members, we have published our contribution to the EU debate on the issues of digitalisation and ageing, including recommendations to achieve a smooth digital transition for everyone, at all ages.
In our policy paper, we have identified four priorities on which we believe the European Union, its Member States and all relevant stakeholders should make progress.
These priorities are:
- Collecting and making available more data on digital technologies in old age, therefore making older people truly visible and to better identify the gaps, the needs for actions as well as the progress.
- Tackling ageism to dismantle stereotypes about older people and digital technologies. The change of lens is critical to make sure that both policies, products and services are shaped to answer people’s needs without further increasing inequalities.
- Guaranteeing full accessibility, including availability and affordability, to ensure that the digital transition leaves no one behind.
- Using human rights as a compass for digitalisation so that people come before technologies.
A digital transition should be barrier free and attractive for all. This requires involving us, older people, are a true partner.
Useful links
- Medicine Information Leaflets: Paper or Digital? Both! Patients have the right to receive a printed copy with their medication
- AGE Paper: “Digitalisation and older people: our call to EU policy makers”
- BEUC: Position on the European Commission’s proposal for a revised pharmaceutical legislation.
- PGEU: Position paper on the reform of the EU Pharmaceutical Legislation and PGEU position on electronic product information.
- CPME: Proposed amendments to the Commission’s Proposals for the Directive on the Union code relating to medicinal products (...)
- EFN: EFN PS improving frontline nurses’ time for direct patient care with digitalisation & responsible AI
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