#FreeWebSearch Charter calls for breaking Google's monopoly

Civil society initiative calls for democratic control of web search

1.10.25, Starnberg – Who decides what billions of people find on the internet – and what they don’t? This question of power is addressed by the #FreeWebSearch Charter, which was published on Monday, International #FreeWebSearch Day, by a European alliance of civil society, academia, and media organizations. With ten clear principles, the initiative aims to put control over web search back in the hands of society.

“Web search is too important to our democracy to be left solely to the Googles of this world,” emphasizes Christine Plote, project manager and founding member of the Open Search Foundation. “If a few internet companies whose business model is based on surveillance and data exploitation control what we find on the internet and what remains invisible, then that is a threat to our democratic society. Web search belongs under democratic control. That is what we are campaigning for with the #FreeWebSearch Charter.”

The charter formulates specific demands in ten areas:

• Transparency and traceability of search algorithms and ranking criteria
• Plurality and technological independence through the promotion of alternative search systems
• Data protection and informational self-determination without tracking and profiling
• More control for users and content providers over search processes and presentation
• Equal access without discrimination for all people
• Diversity of information and perspectives instead of invisible filter bubbles
• Responsibility for the environment and society through sustainability standards
• Integrity and trustworthiness of search results
• Strengthening search skills through educational opportunities
• Democratic control with enforceable rules

Broad support

Support for the charter comes from a European alliance of organizations and individuals, including journalists’ associations such as the dju and the New German Media Makers, the Society for Media Education and Communication Culture, and the search engines Ecosia and MetaGer. The initiative is personally supported by, among others, the renowned expert in antitrust law and digital regulation, Prof. Dr. Thomas Höppner, digital expert and former member of the German Bundestag Anke Domscheit-Berg, and Member of the European Parliament Alexandra Geese.

Partners from across Europe are also on board, including the Centre for Digital Cultures at the University of Birmingham, the British search engine Mojeek, the European think tank dataethics.eu, and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Ireland’s oldest independent human rights organization.

Web search as a human right

“Access to information is a human right,” states the preamble to the charter. The signatories call on politicians and society to clearly recognize web search as a public service and to create the appropriate framework conditions.

“Web search is a critical infrastructure, just like electricity or water. It must not be controlled by a few corporations, but must serve all people,” explains project manager Christine Plote. “Our special appeal goes out to those who can shape the future: Politicians, regulatory authorities, and technology companies have a responsibility to make web search a genuine service for the common good again.”

The charter was developed in a participatory process, funded by the Mercator Foundation as part of the #EthicsInSearch project.

All information about the #FreeWebSearch charter and the opportunity to sign it can be found on the website: www.charta.freewebsearch.org

Press contact:

Open Search Foundation e. V. | Carolin Bauer | +49 178 601 49 10 | media@opensearchfoundation.org

Website:

charta.freewebsearch.org

Statements from creators and initial signatories are available.