Country Situation Report: Digital Rights in Kosovo
From the summary of the report:
The Internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. Living in the digital age has enabled a number of opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. The Covid-19 epidemic increased the prevalence of technology in most people’s lives – leading to inevitable changes within the workplace, education, communication, health sector and much more. But there are also many drawbacks to living in a digital environment, and as the online world expands daily, awareness should be raised of the possible risks of technology. Having the potential to accelerate sustainable growth and empower citizens, digital technologies have proven to simultaneously pave the way for abuse, exclusion, and inequality if left unmonitored, unregulated and when necessary – unsanctioned.
As developed countries and their economies are fast pacing towards an increasingly digitised and interconnected ecosystem with less barriers, a country as young as Kosovo cannot afford to be left behind. This is even more true having in mind Kosovo’s demographics, and more specifically -percentage of young people. But to keep up with the changes, Kosovo must learn how to use its potentials in a way they outweigh the risks. In Kosovo, the vast majority of the population has access to the internet, and as a country it is well-positioned to take advantage of the power of the digital for an increased social wellbeing and economic development. The public and private sectors’ resilience, reactivity, and agility in Kosovo now depend also on digital transformation. However, to realise a full digital potential, digital change in the country must be inclusive. This report provides an overview regarding the developments and setbacks in Kosovo regarding E-Governance processes, personal data protection, cybersecurity, freedom of speech, disinformation and protection of vulnerable groups in the digital realm. In a nutshell, looking into Kosovo’s digital situation and potential, collaboration with both public and private organisations, and most crucially with the general public is crucial in the development and implementation of strategies, plans and legal framework for a digital advancement.
Please find the report here.
