Seventh Meeting of “Privacy4Balkans” Initiative
Issues of common interest and enhancement of inter-institutional cooperation
Sanja Unković, Deputy Commissioner (performing the duties of the Commissioner), and Milan Marinović, Advisor to the Commissioner, participated on October 1 and 2, 2026, in the seventh meeting of independent personal data protection supervisory authorities from the Western Balkans region—the “Privacy4Balkans” initiative. Dr. Dragoljub Reljić, Director of the Personal Data Protection Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Mr. Ante Boras, Deputy Director, hosted representatives from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.
The meeting aimed to discuss further steps regarding personal data processing by companies such as Meta, X, and others for artificial intelligence development—processing about which users in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and other non-EU countries in the region were not lawfully informed—as well as to define issues of common interest and enhance inter-institutional cooperation. Additionally, the group discussed joint measures regarding multinational companies that have not yet fulfilled their obligation, prescribed by the laws of the aforementioned states, to designate a Personal Data Protection representative. A joint approach by supervisory authorities serves as an important mechanism for coordinating activities, exchanging experiences, and responding more effectively to the challenges posed by new technologies—particularly the expansion of artificial intelligence as it becomes an integral part of citizens’ daily lives—with a special emphasis on protecting citizens’ rights regarding privacy and personal data processing.