The Agency for Information and Privacy (AIP) has called on political parties in Kosovo to ensure the protection of citizens’ personal data throughout the ongoing election campaign. The appeal comes as part of the Agency’s legal mandate to safeguard data privacy and guarantee the integrity of the electoral process.
The reminder was issued ahead of the local elections scheduled for October 12, 2025. According to the AIP, parties and other entities involved in the campaign must comply with strict legal obligations to prevent misuse of personal information.
Legal Requirements for Data Protection
In its statement, the AIP outlined several key measures for political parties:
- Personal data must only be processed on a legal basis, such as citizen consent, legitimate political interest, or other grounds defined by law.
- Contact details collected during public functions cannot be used for political marketing purposes.
- Political parties are prohibited from exposing personal data through email, SMS, or phone calls without prior consent.
- Citizens must have the right to object at any time to the use of their data for direct marketing, with immediate cessation of communication upon objection.
- Parties must avoid profiling or large-scale processing of sensitive data, unless there is a clear legal basis and proper safeguards in place.
- A privacy impact assessment must be conducted when necessary, ensuring full transparency on how data is processed.
- Clear and accessible privacy policies should be published for citizens.
Safeguarding Electoral Integrity
The AIP emphasized that protecting personal data is crucial to maintaining public trust in the electoral process. It also offered cooperation with political entities to ensure compliance and prevent violations.
“To secure the smooth conduct of the elections in line with legal obligations, the Agency calls on political parties to handle citizens’ information in full compliance with the law,” the statement concluded.
Election Context
Kosovo’s official election campaign began on September 13, 2025, with parties actively engaging voters ahead of the October 12 local elections. The AIP’s warning highlights growing concerns about digital privacy, political marketing, and the ethical use of voter information in modern campaigns.
