Conference on biometric data and video surveillance of public spaces

The use of cameras for video surveillance and biometric recognition is a particularly important topic within the EU, which is trying to find the balance of two opposing sides - the demand for security and the demand for privacy.

The International Conference on Biometric Data and Video Surveillance of Public Spaces gave the opportunity to the Serbian scientists, activists and practitioners to learn about the practices in different EU member states related to this field. Different approaches to this topic also exist in EU member states, and presentations of the experts from Germany, Estonia, Croatia, Poland and Slovenia provided an important insight into the challenges related to the use of cameras for video surveillance and biometric recognition and the application of the Law on Personal Data Protection.

Ms. Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, welcomed the debate on the important challenge of the modern world - finding a balance between technological progress, public safety and the advancement of fundamental rights, including the right to privacy. Welcoming consultations with the civil sector on the Draft Law on Internal Affairs, she stressed the need to assess the proportionality and necessity of the proposed system of video surveillance in public spaces and the processing of personal data on facial recognition software.

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Serbia Ms. Anke Konrad pointed out the importance of feeling protected and safe, and at the same time, knowing that personal data are protected and not abused. „Charter on Fundamental Rights of the European Union in its Article 8 guarantees the right to protection of personal data. Such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law“, Ms. Konrad stated.  

Mr. Milan Marinović, Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Protection of Personal Data, stated that in the Republic of Serbia, biometric recognition technology is not yet in use and has not been solved by law, but in many countries, it is, which is why the experience of experts from EU countries that we heard today and which we will be able to use when designing our policy and laws is particularly valuable.