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The Albania Sustainable Development Organization (ASDO) organized a round table titled “Presenting legislation for Personal Data Protection for the NGO sector” on June 26th. The event aimed to address the growing importance of cyber security and personal data protection within the country, specifically within the NGO sector. Representatives from various NGOs and Ms. Blerta Xhako, Head of Legal Affairs at the Information and Data Protection Commissioner, came together for this crucial discussion. The round table received support from the Swiss Embassy in Albania for their project “Awareness on cyber security and protection of personal data.”
In today’s digital era, the NGO sector frequently deals with sensitive personal data and information. To assist their beneficiaries, organizations collect and share significant amounts of information related to specific events. However, the collection of this information introduces challenges in sharing sensitive personal data securely. Storing and sharing sensitive data in digital formats requires organizations to prioritize data protection to prevent accidental deletion, unauthorized access, or cyber-attacks.
The round table commenced with an opening statement by Ms. Ada Ilia from ASDO, followed by a presentation from Mr. Blerta Xhako. It served as an educational platform to inform organizations about the recent amendments to the law on personal data protection. It is crucial for NGOs to prioritize the protection of personal data, particularly when working with beneficiaries. Gathering sensitive information during projects requires organizations to ensure the confidentiality and security of this data to maintain trust and respect individual privacy rights. Organizations must stay informed about evolving legal and regulatory requirements related to data protection to ensure compliance and best practices in their reporting activities. Safeguarding personal data not only preserves individual rights but also upholds the integrity and professionalism of NGOs in Albania as a whole.
An important moment during the presentation was dedicated to raising awareness on the need of organizations to inform the Information and Data Protection Comissioner, that they collect and elaborate personal data, as most organizations and institutions have not fulfilled that obligation yet, and thus this round table served as way to reach out and put an emphasis on this very important element.
The round table concluded with a question and answer session, where participants discussed collaboration with state institutions such as the Information and Data Protection Commissioner. They also shared personal and organizational experiences related to data breaches and the protection of personal data for their beneficiaries. The role of non-governmental organizations in staying updated with amendments to the Data Protection law in Albania was also discussed, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adapting to changing regulations.
The round table organized by ASDO and supported by the Swiss Embassy served as a significant step in raising awareness and promoting personal data protection within the NGO sector. By prioritizing data security, NGOs can protect the rights of individuals and maintain their trust, ultimately contributing to a safer digital and social environment for all.
