Session
Subtheme
Organizer 1: Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 1: Eliska Pirkova, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Irena Guidikova, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 3: Rodica Ciochina, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 2: Irena Guidikova, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Speaker 3: Rodica Ciochina, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The 90-minute format balances expert insights with audience participation, ensuring an engaging and in-depth discussion. The session will include keynote remarks, a moderated panel, and an interactive debate, fostering both structured dialogue and real-time input from participants. A roundtable or semi-circular seating arrangement will encourage open exchange among policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society, facilitating direct engagement and response to diverse perspectives. A QR code-based live poll will gather audience insights, making the discussion interactive and evidence-based. Given the complexity of content and behavior moderation in XR, this format supports a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating legal, technological, and human rights perspectives. The structure allows for the synthesis of key insights into actionable recommendations, feeding into ongoing policy work at the Council of Europe and EU levels. This ensures that the discussion contributes meaningfully to the development of guidelines on freedom of expression in immersive realities.
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: The 90-minute format balances expert insights with audience participation, ensuring an engaging and in-depth discussion. The session will include keynote remarks, a moderated panel, and an interactive debate, fostering both structured dialogue and real-time input from participants. A roundtable or semi-circular seating arrangement will encourage open exchange among policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society, facilitating direct engagement and response to diverse perspectives. A QR code-based live poll will gather audience insights, making the discussion interactive and evidence-based. Given the complexity of content and behavior moderation in XR, this format supports a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating legal, technological, and human rights perspectives. The structure allows for the synthesis of key insights into actionable recommendations, feeding into ongoing policy work at the Council of Europe and EU levels. This ensures that the discussion contributes meaningfully to the development of guidelines on freedom of expression in immersive realities.
Policy Question(s)
How should international human rights frameworks, including Article 10 of the ECHR, be adapted to protect freedom of expression in XR, considering new forms of digital communication and interaction?
What are the legal and ethical challenges of content moderation in XR, and how can policymakers ensure safeguards against overreach, censorship, and the chilling effects of AI-driven governance?
How can democratic oversight and the rule of law be upheld in XR, given the increasing role of private platforms in regulating speech, access to information, and digital assembly in immersive environments?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how freedom of expression operates in XR environments and the emerging challenges posed by behavior moderation, AI-driven censorship, and immersive surveillance. They will explore how non-verbal actions (gestures, movements, symbolic acts) are becoming forms of expression in virtual spaces and whether existing human rights protections, such as Article 10 of the ECHR, are sufficient.
Attendees will hear from leading experts across law, policy, industry, and civil society, offering diverse perspectives on balancing safety, governance, and digital rights in XR. They will engage with EU policy developments, industry practices, and legal considerations, gaining insights into how platforms, governments, and international organizations shape XR’s future.
Through live polling and interactive discussion, participants will leave with concrete takeaways on best practices, policy gaps, and potential regulatory solutions—contributing to the Council of Europe’s ongoing study on XR governance and future recommendations.
SDGs
Description:
As immersive realities (XR) become a new frontier for communication and interaction, they also challenge fundamental principles of freedom of expression, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Unlike traditional online platforms, XR environments regulate not just speech but also gestures, movements, gaze, and spatial interactions, raising complex legal, ethical, and governance concerns. This session will explore who governs expression in XR—states, platforms, or algorithms—and how to balance fundamental rights with the need for safety and content moderation. Key questions include: Expression beyond words – How should human rights law address non-verbal communication (e.g., avatar movements, symbolic acts)? Are existing legal frameworks, such as Article 10 of the ECHR, sufficient to protect expression in XR? AI-driven behavior moderation – How are automated systems enforcing speech and conduct rules in XR? What are the risks of biased enforcement, digital authoritarianism, and overreach? Surveillance & chilling effects – With eye tracking, movement analysis, and biometric data collection, XR introduces new levels of surveillance. Does this create a chilling effect on protest, activism, and dissent? EU & industry approaches – How do EU policies (Digital Services Act, AI Act) and industry content governance shape XR’s future? The discussion will feature experts from the Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), European Commission, industry leaders (Meta, Microsoft), and civil society (Access Now). Participants will engage through live polling and an interactive discussion on governance models, best practices, and policy solutions. This session will directly contribute to the Council of Europe’s ongoing study on XR governance, helping shape potential recommendations for protecting freedom of expression while mitigating emerging risks in virtual spaces.
As immersive realities (XR) become a new frontier for communication and interaction, they also challenge fundamental principles of freedom of expression, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Unlike traditional online platforms, XR environments regulate not just speech but also gestures, movements, gaze, and spatial interactions, raising complex legal, ethical, and governance concerns. This session will explore who governs expression in XR—states, platforms, or algorithms—and how to balance fundamental rights with the need for safety and content moderation. Key questions include: Expression beyond words – How should human rights law address non-verbal communication (e.g., avatar movements, symbolic acts)? Are existing legal frameworks, such as Article 10 of the ECHR, sufficient to protect expression in XR? AI-driven behavior moderation – How are automated systems enforcing speech and conduct rules in XR? What are the risks of biased enforcement, digital authoritarianism, and overreach? Surveillance & chilling effects – With eye tracking, movement analysis, and biometric data collection, XR introduces new levels of surveillance. Does this create a chilling effect on protest, activism, and dissent? EU & industry approaches – How do EU policies (Digital Services Act, AI Act) and industry content governance shape XR’s future? The discussion will feature experts from the Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), European Commission, industry leaders (Meta, Microsoft), and civil society (Access Now). Participants will engage through live polling and an interactive discussion on governance models, best practices, and policy solutions. This session will directly contribute to the Council of Europe’s ongoing study on XR governance, helping shape potential recommendations for protecting freedom of expression while mitigating emerging risks in virtual spaces.
Expected Outcomes
This workshop will look into the potential need of policy frameworks for freedom of expression in XR . It will generate concrete recommendations for the Council of Europe, EU institutions, and industry on balancing free expression with user protection and rights in immersive spaces. Through multi-stakeholder dialogue, it will identify regulatory gaps and ethical considerations, informing future governance models.
Key outputs include direct contributions to the Council of Europe’s ongoing study. The session will also help shape guidelines on protecting free expression while addressing online harms in virtual environments. Depending on outcomes, a follow-up multi-stakeholder meeting may be convened to further develop regulatory approaches and instruments. These insights will support future legislative initiatives and ethical standards for XR, ensuring a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future.
Hybrid Format: The session will be designed for seamless interaction between onsite and online participants, ensuring an inclusive and engaging hybrid experience. Moderation will balance contributions from both groups, with equal speaking opportunities for remote and in-person speakers.
To enhance engagement, we will use live Q&A tools, allowing online participants to submit questions in real-time, which will be integrated into the discussion. QR code polling will enable instant audience feedback and input on key policy questions.