A recent report by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) highlights a troubling increase in surveillance and censorship across the Western Balkans, particularly in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia. The findings reveal a pattern of government overreach that threatens civil liberties and press freedom in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies are expanding rapidly.
- Governments are increasingly using spyware and digital censorship against journalists and activists.
- Legal frameworks often fail to protect digital rights effectively.
- The report emphasizes the need for independent monitoring of surveillance practices.
Growing Surveillance Technologies
The report indicates that biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies are becoming more prevalent in the Western Balkans. Countries like Albania and Serbia are at the forefront of these developments, raising significant privacy and ethical concerns. Projects such as Albania’s "Smart City" initiative and Montenegro’s secret technology acquisitions highlight issues of transparency and potential misuse of data.
In Serbia, the deployment of facial recognition technology without adequate legal safeguards has sparked fears of unlawful surveillance. Kosovo’s opaque surveillance practices further complicate the situation, leading to a climate of fear among citizens.
Targeting of Journalists and Activists
The use of spyware, particularly the notorious Pegasus tool, has been reported in Serbia, where it has been used against civil society members, journalists, and activists. This has resulted in serious violations of privacy and press freedom. Despite calls for accountability, the Serbian government has largely remained unresponsive, raising concerns about the use of digital surveillance to suppress dissent.
Legal Frameworks and Gaps
While the legal frameworks in the Western Balkans are often aligned with EU standards, the report highlights significant gaps in practice. For instance:
- Albania and Kosovo have laws protecting digital rights, but enforcement is weak.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina has seen a regression in media freedom, especially in the Republika Srpska entity.
- Montenegro struggles with outdated data protection laws.
- North Macedonia has delayed the enforcement of digital rights.
- Serbia faces challenges with politicized institutions and proposed legal amendments that threaten press freedom.
The Impact on Free Expression
The report underscores that the increasing use of surveillance technologies is often coupled with censorship, leading to widespread self-censorship among journalists and activists. In Serbia, the pervasive fear of being watched stifles free expression, while in Albania, the government’s use of security laws to restrict online content raises alarms about digital rights.
In March 2025, Albania’s one-year TikTok ban, implemented due to concerns over violent content, has been criticized for its lack of transparency and potential infringement on free speech. Critics argue that alternative measures, such as content moderation, would be more appropriate than an outright ban.
The Need for Independent Monitoring
As surveillance and censorship practices become more sophisticated, the report emphasizes the critical need for independent actors to investigate and document violations. Megi Reci, BIRN’s Digital Rights Programme Research Lead, stated, "Exposing how power is wielded behind closed doors helps protect not just individual rights, but the very spaces where dissent, debate, and accountability can exist."
The findings of the BIRN report serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges to democracy and freedom in the Western Balkans, urging stakeholders to take action to protect civil liberties and promote transparency in governance.
