„Various bodies and organizations from all over the world engaged in personal data protection must unite to set firm boundaries, not to hinder technological development, but to reduce abuse and risks to a minimum, i.e. to be under strict control and respect of human rights and in particular the right to privacy and the right to personal data protection. The key question in the time of the development of modern technologies is not how to control artificial intelligence, but how to control the person who controls artificial intelligence," said Commissioner Milan Marinović in his introductory speech during the celebration of Data Protection Day, which took place today at the Serbian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Representatives of foreign delegations in Serbia Mrs. Plamena Halačeva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Mrs. Carolina Hidea, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Mr. Tod Andrews, Interim Director of the USAID Mission to Serbia, pointed out that to minimize the risks posed by digitization and the use of artificial intelligence, it is crucial that, in addition to the adopted Strategy on Personal Data Protection, all other regulations should be harmonized with the Law on Personal Data Protection. The Director of the Agency for Personal Data Protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Dragoljub Reljić, as an example of regional cooperation, pointed out that in the drafting of the new legal solution, they modeled themselves on the experience of Serbia and our Law on Personal Data Protection.

For the first time, awards were conferred for special contributions to Personal Data Protection in the Republic of Serbia. There are many reasons why these institutions are this year's award winners, and we will mention only a few.

To the OSCE Mission to Serbia, with whose help we did the first media campaign, educational videos, public opinion poll in this area, and the preparation of the Analysis for the Compliance of Regulations with Personal Data Protection. To the American Agency for International Development (USAID) for long-term cooperation, organizing online training sessions, creating the Commissioner's logo, and creating promotional films and tutorials. To the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for the organization of roundtables and training sessions for members of local self-government, international conferences, and a publication dedicated to personal data protection in employment relations. To the Faculty of Security Studies of the University of Belgrade, which trailblazed a short study program into the education system of Serbia, now already for the fourth generation of students. To the Propulsion Fund Foundation, who helped us reach the youngest population - children, with whose help we created the promotional brochure "Personal data is our treasure, how can we protect it?". Commissioner Milan Marinović presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Serbian Chamber of Industry and Commerce for long-term cooperation.

Deputy Commissioner Sanja Unković highlighted that this is the fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of the body for personal data protection in the Republic of Serbia. She emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences with other bodies through the organization of international conferences, study trips, and participation in the work of international bodies. During the presentation of the latest publication number IX, she underlined that this publication also contains, for the first time, the practice of the Sector for Processing Misdemeanors, with initiated requests for misdemeanor proceedings and issued misdemeanor orders.

In the end, she emphasized that by adopting in 2023 the Strategy for Personal Data Protection for the period 2023-2030 we expect that the Action Plan is soon to be adopted, which will enable the said Strategy to come to life and deliver the expected results.

You can download the publication in PDF version here (in Serbian language only).

You can also see the gallery of photos from the event here.

You can watch the recording of the event (in Serbian language only) on the Commissioner's YouTube channel: