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The Commissioner for the Right to Information and the Protection of Personal Data is a public legal entity and an independent supervisory authority responsible for monitoring and overseeing the implementation of legislation guaranteeing the right to information, the protection of personal data, and the re-use of public sector information. The institution carries out its activities in accordance with the principles of independence, transparency, and public accountability, with the aim of safeguarding and strengthening the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens with regard to access to information of a public nature and the protection of their personal data.

The Commissioner is elected by the Assembly of the Republic of Albania by a majority of all its members, upon proposal of the Council of Ministers, for a seven-year term of office, with the right to re-election. In the exercise of his legal duties and powers, the Commissioner acts with full independence and is supported by the Commissioner’s Office, which is provided with the necessary human, technical, and financial resources to ensure effective functioning.

The Commissioner has his own budget, which forms part of the State Budget but is administered independently by the institution.

Our Mission

To ensure respect for two fundamental rights of the individual, the right to information and the right to the protection of personal data, in accordance with the Albanian legislation and the international standards, with a view to safeguarding human rights.

Our Vision

To contribute to the development of a transparent, informed and digital society, in which every individual enjoys the right to personal data protection and to raise awareness among public institutions to act responsibly and with integrity in the implementation of Law No. 119/2014, Law No. 124/2024, and Law No. 33/2022.

Our Objectives

• To ensure the full implementation of legislation on the right to information, the protection of personal data and the re-use of public information;
• To strengthen the institutional culture of transparency and accountability towards citizens;
• To increase public and professional awareness of the importance of the right to information and personal data protection;
• To provide guidance, training and support to public authorities and private entities in complying with legal requirements;
• To promote cooperation with national and international institutions in order to strengthen standards of transparency and data protection.

Main competences of the Commissioner in the field of the Right to Information

Pursuant to Law No. 119/2014 “On the Right to Information”, the Commissioner:

• examines complaints submitted by individuals alleging violations of the right of access to public information;
• conducts administrative investigations, ex officio or upon complaint, with access to any data or document, including classified information;
• imposes administrative measures for legal violations and requests the declassification of information where required by overriding public interests;
• promotes transparency of public authorities through counselling, recommendations, and monitoring of transparency programmes;
• carries out surveys and awareness-raising campaigns on the right to information.

Competences in the field of Personal Data Protection

Pursuant to Law No. 124/2024 “On the Protection of Personal Data”, the Commissioner:

• monitors and supervises the implementation of personal data protection legislation;
• drafts and publishes guidelines, guides and recommendations for the application of the law;
• provides opinions and advice to the Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and other institutions on legislative or administrative measures related to personal data protection;
• approves standard contractual clauses, codes of conduct and certification mechanisms relating the processing of personal data;
• promotes public awareness, training and education on matters relating to personal data processing, with particular focus on minors and data protection officers;
• supervises international transfers of personal data.

Competences in the field of Open Data and Re-use of Public Sector Information

Pursuant to Law No. 33/2022 “On Open Data and the Re-use of Public Sector Information”, the Commissioner:

• supervises the implementation of the right to re-use public sector documents;
• promotes standards for open access and public availability of administrative data;
• seeks cooperation with public institutions to secure the information necessary for the fulfilment of statutory duties.

Overall, the Commissioner for the Right to Information and the Protection of Personal Data seeks to ensure a fair balance between public transparency and the protection of personal data, in the service of citizens and the safeguarding of a democratic society.