The AIP turns 5 and boosts Kosovo’s presence in international privacy networks

The Agency for Information and Privacy (AIP) marked its 5th anniversary since its establishment, while institutional and international representatives praised its contribution to strengthening transparency and protecting personal data in Kosovo.

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said that a democratic state treats transparency and privacy as two essential guarantees, as one makes power visible while the other protects the citizen from its interference. She recalled that in 2025 alone, the Agency received more than one thousand requests, carried out hundreds of inspections, and handled hundreds of participants from different sectors. According to her, within a short period AIP has managed to place Kosovo in important international privacy networks, while participation as an observer on the European board and representation in the global privacy assembly are important steps for the professional and institutional presence of our republic in this field.

Information and Privacy Commissioner Krenare Sogojeva stressed that capacity building was one of the goals that was achieved and that brought thousands of participants.

She explained that the trainings included many professionals, starting from the justice sector, where many judges, prosecutors, police officers, and correctional service officials were involved, to ministers, municipal mayors, independent leaders, secretaries general, directors, and archive officials. Sogojeva said the aim was for institutional accountability not to remain hostage to a lack of knowledge of legal obligations. She added that the private sector was also at the center of information on fulfilling legal obligations, while information technology companies, start-ups, and telecommunications companies were an inseparable part of awareness-raising activities. According to her, healthcare, as one of the sectors that stores sensitive data, was also in focus for capacity building.

The director of the Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency, Zdravko Vukiq, said that from the perspective of the EU board, AIP’s commitment in line with EU practices and best practices is valued. He underlined that the observer status Kosovo currently enjoys within the board framework is an important recognition of efforts and a valuable platform for dialogue, cooperation, and exchange of expertise.