‘…we regard the signing and implementation of the Charter as an important step towards enabling the younger generation to live freely and confidently in the digital space.’

Maximilian Kroker, a Solicitor, who is specialised in IT and data protection law, is the representative of the Common Grounds Forum (CGF). The CGF is a German community of young people aged between 14 and 30 who develop positions on digital policy and effectively communicate their demands. It is one of the first signatories to endorse the #FreeWebSearch charter. Here Maximilian explains why freedom of information and the charter’s demands are so important for younger people.

‘Web search is a core component of our digital way of life. It affects and shapes our world view, how we form opinions and even our professional advancement. Only a free and democratic web search can provide this service in a manner that complies with fundamental and human rights. In the current web search landscape, your voice will only be heard if you play by the search engine operators’ rules. Only an independent, multi-pronged approach from several free and democratic search engines can break this status quo. As the Common Grounds Forum, we regard the signing and implementation of the #FreeWebSearch Charter as an important step towards enabling the younger generation to live freely and confidently in the digital space.’

Maximilian Kroker
Solicitor, specialised in IT and data protection law + CGF representative