The Information and Data Protection Commissioner, Mr. Besnik Dervishi, along with other representatives of the institution, conducted a two-day working visit to Kosova at the invitation of the Commissioner of the Agency for Information and Privacy (AIP), Ms. Krenare Sogojeva-Dërmaku.
The purpose of this visit was to exchange experiences and discuss the challenges faced by the two counterpart institutions in their activities, in accordance with the cooperation agreement dated April 21, 2022, between the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data and the Agency for Information and Privacy of Kosova.
Mr. Besnik Dervishi expressed his gratitude for the organization of this roundtable by the Agency for Information and Privacy of Kosovo. Commissioner Dervishi provided an overview of the institution’s work, the most significant events of 2024, and the objectives for the upcoming period.
The approval of the new law “On the Protection of Personal Data” was considered by Mr. Dervishi as an added responsibility for the Office of the Commissioner, which will now focus on drafting all the necessary by-laws for its implementation.
He highlighted that being granted the presidency of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) is a significant responsibility but also a sign of recognition and prestige for Albania. The Commissioner expressed his readiness to continue cooperation and exchange experiences with Kosovo’s counterparts regarding the right to information, personal data protection, and open data. Mr. Dervishi emphasized that the Office of the Commissioner is open to conducting various training sessions with universities and other stakeholders to enhance transparency, awareness, and well-informed governance.
Ms. Krenare Sogojeva-Dërmaku congratulated Mr. Dervishi on the renewal of his mandate as Commissioner and praised his efforts and commitment to the significant advancements of the Office of the Commissioner, particularly in the framework of the integration process.
She also informed the Albanian authorities about the progress made by her agency, which recently obtained observer status in the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). The Kosova Commissioner highlighted that on January 27, the first platform for identifying personal data breaches was introduced, while also expressing her willingness to assist Albania in developing a similar platform.
During the roundtable held between the technical staff, several presentations were made on the latest projects of the institutions.
The Agency for Information and Privacy presented the platform designed to ensure the protection of personal data by identifying data breaches from both public and private controllers in Kosova. This platform is built using a combination of multiple programming languages and will function as a preventive mechanism against potential misuse and data leaks.
Mr. Kushtrim Mustafa, head of the inspection and control division in the personal data protection department at the Agency for Information and Privacy of Kosova, presented on the publication of data on the official websites of public institutions at the municipal level. He also addressed the use of surveillance camera systems in lecture halls and sanitary facilities.
Ms. Ermelinda Pema, Director for the Right to Information, provided a summary of the Transparency Index of central and local authorities, which serves as a monitoring mechanism for proactive transparency. She stated that transparency in both central and local government institutions has increased year by year.
Meanwhile, Klark Radoniqi, inspector in the Department for the Protection of Personal Data, delivered a presentation on the Assessment Report on the Processing of Personal Data by the Passenger Information Unit (PIU), as well as on the Evaluation Report on the Processing of Personal Data in the framework of implementing legislation on “Additional Public Security Measures” by the General Directorate of the State Police.
