The Albanian Helsinki Committee, a beneficiary from the ERC Grant Scheme, organized an advocacy roundtable on Tuesday, presenting key recommendations regarding the digitalization of public administration and the protection of personal data in the Western Balkans and Albania.
Experts at the roundtable highlighted several major issues Albania faces in the digitalization process, while independent institutions emphasized the lack of capacity in protecting privacy and cybersecurity in the country.
The head of the Albanian Helsinki Committee stressed that data protection awareness in Albania remains at low levels.
“In 2021, there were four major data breaches in Albania. The very low number of complaints following these breaches indicated that the culture of personal data protection in our country is still not at the required level,” said Erida Skëndaj, Executive Director of the Albanian Helsinki Committee.
According to experts, the transition to online public administration services via the e-Albania portal has brought both convenience and challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups.
“The lack of digital skills, limited economic resources, and the absence of services for people with disabilities make it harder to ensure full inclusion in accessing digital services,” said Blerina Bulica, an expert in the field.
Despite recent legislative developments regarding personal data protection and the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, public institutions still face shortcomings in respecting fundamental human rights.
The Commissioner for Data Protection and the Right to Information, Besnik Dervishi, pointed out that insufficient budgeting and a lack of specialized personnel make it difficult to enforce laws protecting citizens’ rights.
“Funding and human resources remain our biggest challenge, along with fostering a culture of data protection,” Dervishi stated.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, Robert Gajda, noted that there have been multiple cases of discrimination in access to digital services due to applicants’ socioeconomic status.
“Primarily, individuals facing economic difficulties and the elderly struggle to access digital services,” Gajda said.
He further emphasized the need for state structures or institutions to provide support for these services, either in a centralized or decentralized manner.
Besnik Deda, a representative from the Ombudsman’s Office, raised concerns about the numerous complaints from citizens regarding the lack of privacy in how various institutions handle their personal data.
“A survey we conducted found that nearly 60% of respondents believe their data is not used properly,” Deda stated.
“The lack of secure protocols for handling citizens’ data is one of the main concerns identified by our institution,” he concluded.
This project is part of the ERC Grant Scheme, a program co-funded by the Western Balkans Fund and the European Union, as part of IPA III – Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.
