The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, participated today in the ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the Information and Privacy Agency.
Acting President Haxhiu stated that the Information and Privacy Agency is a young institution in terms of its age, but one with a mandate that directly touches upon the foundations of a democratic state: the citizen’s right to know and the right to protection.
“The right to information opens institutions to citizens. The right to privacy protects citizens from the careless or unnecessary use of their personal data. At their core, both require more accountable governance and more protected citizens. Citizens have the right to know how decisions are made, how public funds are spent, how institutional actions are justified, and how power is exercised on their behalf. At the same time, personal data relate to the most private aspects of a person’s life: their name, address, health status, family, employment, movements, social status, and personal history,” Acting President Haxhiu emphasized.
According to her, a democratic state treats transparency and privacy as two essential guarantees, as one makes power visible and accountable, while the other protects citizens from unnecessary interference in their private lives.
“Over the past five years, the Agency has consolidated its role as an independent supervisory authority. It has established mechanisms for handling citizens’ complaints and overseeing the implementation of the law. In 2025 alone, the Agency received more than one thousand complaints, conducted hundreds of inspections, and trained hundreds of participants from various sectors. These figures show that citizens are exercising their rights and that institutions are increasingly being confronted with demands for transparency and accountability. This is an achievement for the Agency, but also for the Republic,” Acting President Haxhiu highlighted.
She noted that protecting citizens’ privacy nowadays requires constant vigilance because, according to her, it is affected by the way institutions collect documents, how data are stored in systems, how forms circulate, who has access to databases, how long information is retained, and how cameras, digital platforms, and new technologies are used.
“Every institution that requests personal data must be clear about the purpose, the legal basis, and its responsibility to protect that data. Public services and administrative processes in Kosovo are becoming increasingly digitalized. This development requires clear rules, well-prepared institutions, and a strong culture of accountability,” Acting President Haxhiu said.
According to her, with the advancement of new technologies and artificial intelligence, the role of the Agency is becoming even more important. She further underlined that Kosovo must keep pace with European standards while ensuring that the protection of fundamental rights remains at the center of this development.
“Within a relatively short period, the Agency has also succeeded in positioning Kosovo within important international privacy and transparency networks. Its participation as an observer in the European Data Protection Board, as well as its representation in the Global Privacy Assembly, the Francophone Association of Personal Data Protection Authorities, and the International Conference of Information Commissioners, are important steps for Kosovo’s professional and institutional presence in this field. In this regard, I would like to acknowledge the support provided by Mr. Zdravko Vukić, in his capacity as Vice-Chair of the European Data Protection Board, for advancing this presence and for his professional cooperation throughout this process,” said Acting President Haxhiu.
According to Acting President Haxhiu, these achievements demonstrate that a young institution, when equipped with a clear mandate and committed to serious work, can become a credible voice internationally as well, adding that this is of particular importance for Kosovo.
She stated that our European path is also measured by institutions that embrace European standards and implement them in the daily lives of citizens.
While congratulating the Information and Privacy Agency, Acting President Haxhiu said that this anniversary should serve as an impetus for greater transparency in public institutions, greater care in the handling of personal data, and greater responsibility at every stage of the state’s digitalization.
“An informed citizen and a protected citizen are the foundation of a democratic Republic,” Acting President Haxhiu emphasized.
