Press Releases

"Unlike digitization, with its very high level of use of modern technologies and especially powerful software that supports it, and which is, as it seems, under sufficient control and influence of the human factor, the artificial intelligence, if not properly controlled, could get out of control, which could cause very serious consequences. In any case, the introduction of new technologies in personal data processing, digitization, and the use of artificial intelligence must not be at the expense of the realization of human rights and equality among people," said Commissioner Milan Marinović today in the introductory presentation on the occasion of Data Protection Day, held at the Serbian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

At the celebration, it was pointed out that this is why one of the primary goals of the Commissioner's institution is the education of citizens and those who process our data. That the institution, in addition to numerous trainings, panels, round tables, and student internships, wanted to show even to the youngest what personal data is, how it can be misused, and who they can turn to for help. He added that elementary school pupils are the most vulnerable ones because they spend the most time on social networks and other popular digital platforms. That's why the Brochure called "Personal data is our treasure, how can we protect it?" was prepared, within the scope and help of the "New Literacy" program, which the United States Agency for International Development is jointly implementing with the Propulsion organization, and in cooperation with its author, journalist and psychologist, Dragan Ilić.

"Our research shows that almost 40% of children between the age of 12 and 18 do not know how to protect their data online. The question is, do they fully understand the risks and consequences of sharing their personal data online? Therefore, it is crucial that children from a young age start learning about data protection. By educating them in this domain, we ensure that they move safely and responsibly in the digital world. I invite parents, teachers, and everyone who works with the youngest to support them in reading and understanding the brochure and help them apply that knowledge in their everyday life." said Darko Soković, managing partner in the organization Propulsion.

During the celebration of Data Protection Day, Deputy Commissioner Sanja Unković presented the latest publication called "Personal Data Protection: Positions, Opinions, and Practice of the Commissioner". 

The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, H.E.Emanuele Giofre,  Head of the OSCE Mission in Serbia, H.E. Jan Braathu, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, Nadia Ćuk, and Director of the USAID Mission to Serbia, Brooke Aysham participated in today's celebration of Data Protection Day. In their introductory presentations, they pointed out the practice in the European Union countries, the support they provide to the Republic of Serbia, and the institution of the Commissioner in this area.

In the end, the Commissioner also referred to its competence from the right to access information of public importance and reminded the authorities that the obligation to submit annual reports to the Commissioner via the Portal for submitting annual reports of Public Authorities, at the web address: https://izvestaji.poverenik.rs, expires tomorrow, January 31, 2023.

The recording of the event can be viewed on the Commissioner's official YouTube channel.

The Commissioner once again reminds all authorities that they are obliged to submit an annual report for 2022 to the Commissioner by January 31, 2023, on the actions taken to implement the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance.

In case the authority fails to submit an annual report to the Commissioner, the Commissioner is authorized to submit a request for the initiation of misdemeanor proceedings against the head of that authority.

The Commissioner invites all authorities to fulfill their legal obligations promptly through the Portal for submitting annual reports of public authorities, at the web address: https://izvestaji.poverenik.rs .

"With the adoption of the Amendments to the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance, the Commissioner was allowed to open offices outside of its Head Office so that all citizens of Serbia have equal access to this institution." Today, we are opening the first regional office of the Commissioner in Novi Sad," said Commissioner Milan Marinović at the official opening. He pointed out that until now the citizens of Belgrade were somewhat privileged in the possibility of exercising their rights under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner because they could personally more quickly and easily file requests to the Commissioner and get information about their rights. With the opening of the office in Novi Sad, the citizens of Vojvodina will now have the same equal possibility.

"I want to mention that soon with the help of leading people from the regional centers of Niš and Kragujevac, we will open the other two announced offices. Thus, the right to free access to information of public importance and personal data protection will be equally available to all citizens throughout Serbia," Commissioner Marinović said at the end of his presentation.

The official opening of the Commissioner's first regional office was attended by representatives of the local self-government, the president of the Misdemeanor Court in Novi Sad, and representatives of the media.

The Commissioner reminds all authorities that by Article 43 of the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 120/2004, 54/2007, 104/2009, 36/2010, and 105/2021), until January 31, 2023, are obliged to submit to the Commissioner an annual report for 2022 on the actions of that authority, undertaken for the purpose of implementing this law.

Article 3 of the same law stipulates that a public authority, in terms of this law, is:

1) An authority of the Republic of Serbia;

2) An authority of the autonomous province;

3) An authority of the municipality, city, city municipality, and the city of Belgrade;

4) A public company, institution, organization, and other legal entity, established by regulation or decision of the authority referred to in points 1) to 3) of this paragraph;

5) A company whose founder or member is the Republic of Serbia, an autonomous province, a local self-government unit, or one or more authorities from points 1) to 4) of this paragraph with 50% or more stocks or ownership share in total, that is, with more than half of the members in the board management;

6) A company whose founder or member is one or more authorities from points 1) to 5) of this paragraph with 50% or more stocks or ownership share in total;

7) A legal entity whose founder is a company from points 5) or 6) of this paragraph;

8) A legal person or an entrepreneur who performs activities of general interest, in the terms of the law regulating the position of public companies, in relation to the information connected to the exercise of such activities;

9) A legal or natural person who has public powers, in relation to the information connected to the exercise of such powers;

10) A legal person that, in the year to which the requested information relates, generated more than 50% of their revenue from one or more authorities from points 1) to 7) of this paragraph, in relation to the information connected to the activity financed by those revenues, except the church and religious community.

Compliant with the law, the Commissioner issued a Decision on the form and method of submitting the annual report of public authorities on actions undertaken for the purpose of implementing the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance ("Official Gazette of the RS", number 10/22).

In case the authority fails to submit the annual report from paragraph 1 of this article to the Commissioner, the Commissioner is authorized to submit a request to initiate misdemeanor proceedings for the offense from Article 46, paragraph 1, point 9) of this law.

The Commissioner invites all authorities to fulfill their legal obligations promptly through the Portal for submitting annual reports of public authorities, at the web address: https://izvestaji.poverenik.rs.