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Description
Project "Privacy in the Age of Corona" will strengthen the watchdog role of the Croatian civil sector in the protection of digital human rights. As a watchdog organization, Politiscope is focused on privacy and protection of the digital rights of Croatian and EU citizens.
Through the establishment of an informal network of CSO’s and the implementation of public advocacy activities based on targeted analyses, we want to eliminate illegal epidemiological practices of data collection and prevent non-transparent and disproportionate digital surveillance.
The announced and expected autumn increase in the number of newly-infected represents an optimal opportunity for the deepening and normalization of harmful practices imposed by the competent public bodies and is thus also a unique opportunity for advocacy activities aimed at stopping such practices.
By monitoring of public bodies and conducting targeted analyses, we want to: create public and institutional pressure aiming to improve the work of the Croatian Data Protection Agency; make the general public aware of the illegality of measures and instructions of epidemiological bodies that violate their fundamental rights; legally and technically analyze the Government''s contact-tracing in relation to privacy protection and GDPR compliance; encourage the ombudsman''s offices to report in more detail on the state of digital rights, which is necessary and urgent due to the numerous newly-introduced forms of data processing for epidemiological purposes; contribute to the protection of the privacy of students attending classes online.
Summary of project results
The project addressed several critical challenges related to privacy and digital rights:
- The widespread violation of citizens'' privacy through digital surveillance practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The government’s inadequate handling of citizens'' personal data, including unauthorized data collection in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and the workplace.
- The lack of legal frameworks protecting citizens'' digital rights and personal data in Croatia, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The growing issue of digital surveillance, which poses a threat to individual freedoms and democratic principles.
The project focused on raising awareness and advocating for better privacy protection through several key activities:
- Conducting strategic litigation to challenge illegal and illegitimate data collection practices during the pandemic.
- Providing expertise on privacy issues and offering support to civil society organizations that deal with data protection violations.
- Collaborating with the Croatian IT community, resulting in the creation of two project proposals aimed at promoting digital privacy and technology.
- Building a network of organizations focused on digital rights protection, which includes key civil society actors in Croatia.
- Disseminating key findings through media outreach, publishing analyses of data collection practices during the pandemic, and engaging with institutional stakeholders.
- Developing a website and social media presence (Twitter) to communicate the project''s results and increase public awareness on digital rights issues.
The project achieved significant results in several areas:
- Increased public awareness: The project contributed to raising awareness about the illegal data collection practices during the pandemic, particularly through media coverage and social media engagement.
- Strengthened civil society: It enhanced the capacity of Croatian civil society organizations to protect digital rights and personal data, notably through the creation of an informal network focused on digital rights protection.
- Influence on policy: Through strategic litigation and advocacy efforts, the project has had an impact on the legal discourse around privacy and digital rights in Croatia. It also helped bring attention to the shortcomings of institutions like the Agency for Personal Data Protection (AZOP).
- Collaboration with the IT sector: The project facilitated collaboration with the Croatian IT business community, leading to the submission of joint project proposals for funding that would further support digital privacy initiatives.
- Beneficiaries: The primary beneficiaries of the project include Croatian citizens, civil society organizations, and institutions working to protect digital rights. Additionally, the project directly impacted individuals who may have been exposed to illegal data collection practices during the pandemic.
The overall impact of the project is the increased public and institutional awareness of digital privacy issues and the creation of a more coordinated effort among civil society organizations to protect citizens'' digital rights.