This category recognizes journalistic work that represents “an outstanding contribution to the dissemination and promotion of data protection principles among citizens and/or fosters awareness among those who handle personal information.”
The award-winning coverage includes 25 journalistic pieces with a multi-format approach, ranging from articles published on the Maldita.es website to live broadcasts on “Malditas Twitcherías” and episodes of the podcast “Maldita La Hora.” These were also distributed through the Maldita Tecnología newsletter, Tech en un clic, across all our social media platforms, and via Telegram and WhatsApp channels.
These pieces explored the new challenges that artificial intelligence poses for data protection, addressing current debates and future concerns. Three major thematic blocks stand out: AI-generated images, manipulated videos such as deepfakes, and citizens’ rights.
The coverage aimed to clarify the doubts raised by this technology and provide citizens with tools—not only to defend themselves against AI-generated misinformation, but also to raise awareness about personal data and its relationship with artificial intelligence.
Among the recognized content are a podcast on image rights and AI; synthetic voices and voice rights; a Twitch program about how technology is given a voice; discussions on AI in relation to intellectual property, plagiarism, and liability for errors; and a newsletter about the AI Act being developed by the European Parliament, in addition to numerous articles.
The AEPD also awarded the following individuals and organizations this year:
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Dissemination of the Fundamental Right to Data Protection on Social Media: Eduard Blasi Casagran and Elena Gil González. Joint runners-up: Elena and Laura Davara Fernández de Marcos and F. Javier Sempere Samaniego.
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‘Ángela Ruiz Robles’ Data Protection Entrepreneurship Award: Internxt Universal Technologies.
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Initiatives and Best Practices for Protecting Women Against Digital Violence: ANAR Foundation.
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Proactivity and Best Practices in Compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation and the Spanish Organic Law on Data Protection and Guarantee of Digital Rights: Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Joint award: Data Protection Delegation of the Generalitat Valenciana, the Data Protection Working Group of the Community of Madrid, and the Provincial Council of Segovia.
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Educational Best Practices in Privacy and Personal Data Protection for Responsible and Safe Internet Use by Minors: CEIP Villafría de Otero (Asturias), in the category of educational institutions. Joint award: Spanish Association of Pediatrics, Asociación Date una Vuelta, and the C1B3RPOLICÍA Unit of the Local Police of Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga).
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‘Emilio Aced’ Personal Data Protection Research Award: Yod Samuel Martín García.
The AEPD has previously recognized Maldita.es twice: in 2022 it granted a runner-up prize in the Communication category for the Maldita Twitchería programs dedicated to data protection, and in 2020 it also awarded a runner-up prize for content focused on privacy, data use, technology ethics, and digital rights.
The award ceremony will take place on January 29 in Madrid, coinciding with International Data Protection Day.