ASOCIACION DE USUARIOS DE INTERNET

Their core work

AUI (Asociación de Usuarios de Internet) is a Spanish internet users' association that advocates for digital rights, online privacy, and data protection. In EU research projects, they contribute the end-user and civil society perspective on how personal data is collected, traded, and monetized in the online advertising ecosystem. Their practical role centers on evaluating privacy tools, testing data valuation mechanisms, and ensuring that technical solutions align with citizens' actual needs and rights. They bridge the gap between technical privacy research and the real-world concerns of everyday internet users.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AUI's early H2020 work (2015-2017) concentrated on exposing the opaque mechanics of online advertising — tracking, targeting, data brokering, and privacy violations. By 2019, their focus shifted toward constructive solutions: personal information management systems, privacy-preserving analytics, and empowering users within the data economy. This arc moves from diagnosing the problem (how your data is exploited) to building the remedy (tools that give people control over their data).

AUI is moving from privacy watchdog toward active participation in building user-centric data economy tools, making them increasingly relevant for projects involving GDPR-compliant personal data platforms.

How they like to work

AUI always participates as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a civil society voice rather than a technical lead. With 26 unique partners across 11 countries in just 3 projects, they operate in broad European consortia and bring the end-user validation perspective. They are a reliable association partner for projects that need credible user representation and public engagement in privacy and digital rights topics.

Despite only three projects, AUI has built a surprisingly broad network of 26 partners across 11 countries, reflecting their participation in large, multi-national ICT and security consortia. Their geographic reach spans across Europe without a strong regional concentration.

What sets them apart

AUI brings something most technical consortia lack: a credible, organized voice representing actual internet users. While universities and companies build privacy tools, AUI validates whether those tools actually serve citizens' needs and rights. For any project requiring user engagement, public consultation, or civil society endorsement on data privacy topics, they are one of Spain's go-to association partners.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PIMCITY
  Their largest project (EUR 398,750) and most recent, focused on next-generation personal data platforms — signals their current strategic direction toward the data economy.
• TYPES
  Their first H2020 project tackling the core issue of online advertising transparency, covering tracking, data brokering, and privacy-by-design — established their niche in the EU research landscape.