During October and November 2025, Partners Serbia successfully organized the fourth cycle of the Privacy School program.

A total of 45 participants completed the Privacy School, having passed the selection process. Among them were lawyers, legal professionals, teachers, professors, administrative staff, final-year students of social sciences, artists, and others. The diversity of participants enabled well-rounded discussions and the exchange of experiences related to all the topics covered.

The program consisted of nine lectures. Uroš Mišljenović, Program Manager at Partners Serbia, introduced participants to the right to privacy and provided a theoretical overview, followed by a discussion on why privacy matters, who can threaten it and how, as well as how much citizens value their own and others’ privacy. Ana Toskić Cvetinović, Executive Director of Partners Serbia, presented the development of legal frameworks governing privacy and personal data protection in Serbia, Europe, and worldwide.

Filip Milošević, an activist from the Share Foundation, provided an overview of digital surveillance, algorithmic governance, data collection, centralization, and analysis, and discussed the exploitation of citizens’ digital identities by corporations, as well as ways in which state authorities may misuse personal data with the help of artificial intelligence.

Aleksa Tešić and Tanja Maksić from the BIRN Serbia editorial team demonstrated the work of investigative journalists who tackle stories related to various privacy threats, such as the expansion of digital surveillance networks implemented by the state and private actors.

Bojana Kostić, a researcher and consultant in the field of human rights, media, and technology, introduced participants to the intersection of privacy and freedom of expression, and personal data protection in the media.

Participants then spoke with Dr. Milan Pisarić, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Novi Sad, about cybercrime as a threat to citizens’ privacy.

Bogdan Banjac, Senior Advisor at the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, presented key concepts related to privacy protection of members of vulnerable groups, as well as the relationship between the right to privacy and the right to equality, illustrated with current examples from the institution’s practice.

Nevena Ružić, a consultant in the field of privacy rights, and attorney Jelena Simić delivered a lecture on Privacy Protection in the Workplace, including employers’ authorities, the rights of employees and other engaged individuals, as well as examples from domestic and international practice.

Participants also had the opportunity to speak with Anđelka Zečević, a researcher in natural language processing at the Mathematical Institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and Tamara Zavišić, a consultant in the ethical application of artificial intelligence, about the use of AI and personal data protection. They highlighted the role of personal data in the development and application of AI systems and pointed out some of the privacy-related risks. During the lecture, key concepts and principles of artificial intelligence were introduced to help participants develop a basic understanding of how AI functions.

All participants were granted access to the E-learning platform—an exclusive online training system developed by Partners Serbia for their training programs. Over the next year, participants will be able to access recordings of all lectures, presentations, additional materials, as well as recommended books, podcasts, and other sources relevant to the topics discussed.

We are pleased to have successfully completed this year’s Privacy School and look forward to continuing next year!