Informational Update: Exploring the Reasons Behind the Resistance to Digitalization in a Digital Age
Keep Me Posted EU Campaign Advocates for Consumer Choice in Digital Transition
The Keep Me Posted EU campaign is actively advocating for the right of EU citizens to choose how they receive information—either by post or email—without facing any penalty or discrimination. The campaign, which has been ongoing since mid-2025, emphasizes human-centered digitalization that respects consumer choice and aims to prevent digital exclusion for vulnerable groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, low-income households, and rural residents.
The digital transition, which has seen more public services and advertising move online, has raised concerns about digital exclusion and the security of personal information. According to a survey in 2025, half of the EU population expresses concern about online security and the risk of personal information being hacked. In addition, the digital transition has been uneven across the EU, with countries like Finland and the Netherlands leading the way in digital proficiency, while Romania and Bulgaria rank lowest.
The issue of digital exclusion is particularly concerning as some groups, such as seniors, persons with disabilities, low-income households, and rural residents, are more likely to be excluded from the digital transition. In a report published earlier this year, Keep Me Posted EU demonstrated that these groups are at risk of being left behind as the EU prioritizes the digital transition.
Keep Me Posted is urging the European Commission, as it drafts a roadmap for the next five years on consumer protection laws, to ensure that no consumer is forced to go digital and that choosing paper does not come with extra costs or disadvantages. They highlight that many people either lack digital skills or prefer paper for reasons including security concerns, privacy, and the tactile assurance of physical records.
The campaign is supported by industries involved in envelopes, printing, paper, and postal services, as well as NGOs representing older people, disabled persons, consumers, and unions. Keep Me Posted is requesting that citizens not be charged more or less for choosing one of the options.
The survey results highlight the need for consumer protection in the digital transition, and Keep Me Posted EU is working to ensure that the rights of all EU citizens are protected as the digital transition continues to be a focus for the EU. The campaign remains a recognized stakeholder in the debate about digital transition and consumer rights in the European Union, and it will continue to advocate for the right of EU citizens to choose how they receive information.
The digital transition, influenced by the move of public services and advertising online, has sparked discussions about the impact on lifestyle and the security of personal information. In line with the ongoing Keep Me Posted EU campaign, there is a call for EU consumers to maintain the freedom to choose between digital and traditional methods, such as postal services, without facing penalties or discrimination.
The Keep Me Posted EU campaign, backed by industries and organizations, strives to ensure that consumer choice in lifestyle preferences, be it digital or analog, remains protected during the digital transition, as they advocate for equal cost options for both methods.
