Agenda

2 November 2023 (Thursday)

This session will explore international data protection standards (Focus on GDPR), regional challenges, the delicate balance between privacy and technological innovation, enforcement in the digital age, and the changing landscape of privacy in the context of emerging technologies and trends.

Topics for discussion:
International Data Protection Standards and Harmonization:
Representatives from EDPB/EDPS will discuss the global trends and standards in data protection.
Highlight the importance of harmonization for effective cross-border data transfers while upholding privacy rights. The representative from the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) will also provide insights into their experience regarding the present status of GDPR implementation. This will primarily focus on the aspects that have proven effective, as well as those that have encountered challenges. Additionally, the representative will discuss the prospective developments and implications of the Regulation.
Regional Perspective: Data Protection in the SEE:
Representatives from SEE national data protection authorities will share the challenges unique to the region.
Discuss regulatory efforts, collaborations, and best practices in safeguarding digital privacy.
Balancing Privacy and Technological Innovation:
Explore the intricacies of preserving privacy without hindering technological advancements.
Examine the role of regulatory bodies in fostering a culture of privacy-conscious innovation.
Enforcement and Compliance in a Digital Age:
Discuss strategies for monitoring and enforcing data protection regulations across online platforms.
Address the role of data protection authorities in ensuring compliance and addressing violations.
The Future of Privacy: Emerging Technologies and Trends:
Delve into the potential impact of emerging technologies like AI, machine learning and blockchain on data privacy adn human rights online in general.
Discussion how regulations can adapt to the changing technological landscape.

Speakers:

  • Kazimierz W. UJAZDOWSKI – member of Cabinet of the Supervisor – EDPS
  • Piotr Drobek – EDPB representatives – Polish DPA
  • Cristina Terentii – senior state controller, Moldova DPA
  • Valentin Fetadjokoski – Macedonian DPA
  • Ana Toskic – Executive Director, Partner Serbia

Moderator:
Goce Kocevski, program director, MYLA

This session will address the critical importance of harmonizing legislation with GDPR in protecting human rights online and ensuring a consistent, unified framework for data protection and privacy across borders.

Harmonizing legislation with GDPR is crucial to protect human rights online because it establishes a unified and strong legal framework for data protection and privacy. This consistency ensures that individuals’ rights, such as the right to privacy and the right to Freedom of Expression, are respected and upheld uniformly across borders. Harmonization prevents gaps and inconsistencies in regulations, creating a safer digital environment where individuals can engage online without fear of unauthorized data usage, surveillance, or rights infringements. SEE countries are in a process of the implementation of the national laws on personal data protection and harmonizing the excisiting legistalion with the data protection act. The speaker will share the polish experience on the process of the harmonization of the legislation with the GDPR. Also, how the CSOs can be proactive in this process. The topic is important to be presented for CSOs to increase their awareness and advocate for proper harmonization of the legislation with the local law of personal data protection.

Speaker: Urszula Goral, data protection expert

COFFEE BREAK

This session will explore the troubling realm of biometric video surveillance and the Ministry of Interior’s acquisition of intrusive data extraction equipment, with panelists discussing the legal, technical, and ethical dimensions of these technologies. Although biometric video surveillance is topical topic, the article of journalist Aleksa Tešić shows that we have a lot more reasons to be concerned about excessive collection and processing of our personal data – for years, the Ministry of Interior has been acquiring equipment that uses hacking methods to extract data from mobile phones and computers in order to penetrate the deep secrets of device owners, making it one of the most intrusive and legally problematic technologies of today. The panelists will talk about legal grounds and conditions of using such technologies, the specifications of software and the equipment, possible risks and threats.

Speakers:

  • Aleksa Tešić, journalist, the author of mentioned article (available on following link: https://birn.rs/softveri-za-hakovanje-telefona/ )
  • Milana Pisarić, PhD, specializing in the field of cybercrime, consultant on the mentioned article.

Moderator:
MIlica Tosic, attorney-at-law, Partner Serbia

The multi-award-winning documentary Do Daske (All the Way) by screenwriter and director Aleksandar Reljić presents the case of Serbian stylist Srđan Šveljo, who was condemned for pedophilia by the media although no court proceedings against him had ever been held for this crime. Tabloids described him as a monster and a predator, and his face and personal data were all over the front pages. Srdjan Šveljo initiated multiple civil proceedings against Serbian media, alleging that the manner of reporting about the said events around his arrest and his criminal case violated his dignity and his right to private life. The courts ruled in his favor. After projection of the movie we will have a 30 minute discussion.

Speaker: Srđan Šveljo – The victim of violations

Moderator:
– Dragana Obradović – BIRN

LUNCH

This session will explore the critical importance of youth online privacy in today’s digital landscape, as our panelists explore into the crucial challenges, legislative frameworks, and communication strategies for protecting the privacy of younger generations. Topic: Why is Youth Privacy Important: Highlight the significance of
youth online privacy in the digital age, emphasizing the risks and
challenges they face, while exploring solutions for communication to
digital natives.

Speaker:

  • Bogdan Lungu, OER Project Coordinator, ApTI
  • Manuela Stanoevska, Data protection expert
  • Magda Cojocea, Teacher and VicePresident EDUMI

Moderators:

  • Bogdan Manolea – Executive Director, ApTI
  • Martina Martinova Drangovska – Project coordinator, MYLA

This session aims to educate civil society organizations (CSOs) and activists on data protection breaches and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively represent data subjects in front of institutions. Participants will gain insights into the legal aspects, ethical considerations, and practical steps involved in advocating for data subjects’ rights. (case studies and real-life scenarios, international cooperation)

Speaker:
Igor Kuzevski – data protection expert

3 November 2023 (Friday)

This session will discuss the evolving landscape of AI integration into our daily lives and public decision-making processes, with a particular emphasis on human rights online, highlighting the critical need for robust protection in this realm and examining how AI usage is regulated across countries, while emphasizing the role of various stakeholders in ensuring human-centric AI utilization. As AI solutions enter more aspects of every individual’s life, starting from home appliances to social media, and are increasingly being utilized by public authorities to assess people’s personality or competences, allocate resources, and otherwise make decisions that can have real and serious consequences for the individuals, adequate protection of the human rights online in this area is much needed. This session will explore how is the use of AI regulated in the respective countries and how can different actors (human rights activists, decision makers, institutions, etc) ensure human-centric utilization of AI.

Speakers:

  • Bogdan Manolea – Executive Director, ApTI
  • Ana Toskic – Executive Director, Partneri
  • Bardhyl Jashari – Executive Director, Metamоrphosis
  • Irina Buzu – Advisor on AI to the Deputy Prime-minister

Moderator:
Vesna Radinovska, project coordinator, Metamorphosis

This session aims to delve into the global discourse surrounding #chatcontrol and online surveillance, focusing on the erosion of privacy in the digital era, how a 50 years old discussions are back on the table and exploring strategies to counteract it. Participants will gain insights into how different countries (EU, UK, USA) address these issues and the potential consequences of allowing backdoors in encryption, while providing evidences from different types of stakeholders on the aspects.

At the end the speakers will engage to the audience in exploring if local laws are also following this trend, why this global debate is even more important for countries outside the EU and how local NGOs and citizens can also be engaged in this debate.

Speakers:

  • Alexandra Stefănescu, Digital Rights Cat.
  • Bogdan Manolea, Executive Director, ApTI

COFFEE BREAK

This session will examine global and national landscape of SLAPP lawsuits, their impact on freedom of expression, and the role of the CSOS in combating SLAPP lawsuits. Perspectives on SLAPP Lawsuits:

Discussing international case studies and european efforts to combat SLAPPs
Tara Petrović, Lead for Europe and Central Asia Civicus Monitor

Examining SLAPP lawsuits in Serbia, both offline and online
Kristina Todorović, Attorney-at-law, Serbia

Examining the role of CSOs in combating SLAPP lawsuits
Uros Misljenovic, Program Officer, Partneri Serbia

Speakers:

  • Kristina Todorovic – attorney-at-law
  • Tara Petrovic – Senior Researcher, YUCOM
  • Uros Misljenovic, Program Officer, Partneri Serbia

Moderator: Milan Filipovic, Director of Research, YUCOM

LUNCH

This session will focus on global insights into online and offline protest movements, with an emphasis on free speech and its implications for online human rights. The session will also discuss the role of international organizations, the impact of emerging technologies, surveillance challenges, the legal implications of social media, media narratives, and the influence of disinformation and misinformation on the public’s perception of protests.

Global Perspectives on Protest Movements: Comparing freedom of expression in protests online and offline across different countries and regions.
The role of international organizations and treaties in safeguarding protest rights.

Technology and Protest Dynamics:
How emerging technologies like AI impact protests.
The challenges of government online and offline surveillance and privacy concerns during protests.

Social Media Surveillance and Legal Implications:
Discussing the implications for the independence of the judiciary when social media is employed as a tool for prosecuting protesters.
Addressing concerns related to the prosecution for Sedition and the role of international institutions in safeguarding democratic principles.

Media Narratives and Public Perception:
Analyzing the role of mainstream media in shaping public perception of protests.
The impact of disinformation and misinformation on protest movements.

Speakers:

  • Katarina Golubović, president of YUCOM
  • Kristina Todorović – attorney-at-law
  • Filip Stojanovski – Director for partnership and development, Metamorphosis
  • Judge James E Baker ‐ fmr.Chief Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, current Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law, and Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University

Moderator: Milan Filipovic – Director of Research, YUCOM

Recently, the countries of the region, including Moldova, are increasingly faced with hybrid attacks, the use of propaganda tools in the information space, the spread of fakes in the media and social media channels. During the session, national experts will discuss the implementation of policies in the field of information security and strategic communication, as well as systemic solutions aimed at countering this phenomenon, and measures taken to more effectively respond to existing challenges, while protecting human rights online.

Speakers:

  • Andrei Rusnac – Co-founder of the Association “Comunitatea Internet”
  • Cornelia Cozonac – President of the Center for Investigative Journalism of Moldova
  • Sergiu Bozianu – President of the Privacy Research Association

Moderator: Alexei Marciuc – Chairman of the Association “Comunitatea Internet”, Coordinator of the Moldova Internet Governance Forum (MIGF)

CLOSING SESSION:
CONCLUSIONS & NEXT STEPS
Arben Gudachi, Technical Manager, ABA

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