14.9.2023

Fundamental rights of older persons: ensuring access to public services in digital societies

The new report by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) studies the impact of digitalisation on the fundamental rights of older persons. It maps the current legislation, policies and practices in EU Member States and explores how these countries safeguard older persons’ rights to access services, both online and offline. According to the report, national legislation and policies do not always acknowledge the risk of exclusion from digitalised public services. They do not adequately address barriers to using digital services, such as insufficient coverage, costs of internet and devices, lack of skills and external support. This has a potential impact on the fundamental rights of older persons. For example, while online public services can make it easier to get social benefits or find information, older people may lack the necessary digital skills to use such services. Also, lack of at least basic digital skills makes it difficult to participate in public life, consultations and discussions which are increasingly carried out online. The report strongly recommends, among other things, that EU countries ensure access to public services for everyone. Older people should be able to choose how they access public services and receive support to learn digital skills.

In addition to various statistical sources, the report builds on desk research carried out by FRA’s research network, FRANET. The researchers at the Åbo Akademi University Institute for Human Rights contributed to the report by compiling data on Finland. The Finnish country report is available online on the FRA website.