IDDEEA blocks unlawful access to citizens' data, launches new international exchange mechanism

IDDEEA Director Almir Badnjevic emphasized that for years, lawyers and private companies had been charging BiH citizens for alleged violations committed outside the country, directly contacting IDDEEA and obtaining their personal data.

According to him, thousands of such cases were handled monthly, resulting in the massive transfer of data outside BiH and significant financial gain for private entities, without clear adherence to the prescribed legal framework.

''We found this practice in place; we did not create it, but we decided to end it once and for all. With the entry into force of the new BiH Law on Personal Data Protection, harmonized with European standards and the GDPR, we aim to establish a new, modern, and legally grounded standard for protecting the personal data of BiH citizens. Our goal is very clear, to protect the citizens of BiH, their data, and prevent any unauthorized, non-transparent, and legally unfounded use of the identity of our people,'' Badnjevic said at the press conference.

He stressed that from today, no lawyer, private company, or any individual or legal entity outside BiH will be able to obtain personal data of citizens directly from IDDEEA concerning committed violations.

"Any exchange of data related to violations that BiH citizens may commit in other countries will only be possible through clearly established mechanisms. The Law on International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which also applies to misdemeanors, clearly prescribes that data exchange must be carried out exclusively through state channels, between ministries of justice or other competent authorities. IDDEEA will strictly implement this law and insist on every one of its provisions," the Director stated.

Badnjevic also presented a new web service intended for the BiH Border Police, which allows insight into all vehicle violations committed within BiH in real time. With this application, he added, it is ensured that persons with active violations in BiH cannot leave the country without settling their obligations.

He pointed out that two key goals have been achieved.

"We have protected access to the personal data of BiH citizens from unauthorized foreign entities and enabled full control over violations committed within BiH, so that individuals cannot leave the country with outstanding fines. This is a modern, responsible, and balanced system that protects citizens' privacy and strengthens the rule of law," he emphasized.

He also noted that for years IDDEEA had been "reduced to private networks and interests", but that it is now returning to its basic, state-level role.

BiH Minister of Communications and Transport Edin Forto also addressed the media, noting that the BiH Border Police has the ability to see all recorded fines for vehicles leaving the country, but that there are serious limitations in enforcing penalties, especially when it comes to foreign license plates.

"For BiH citizens, this is not a major problem, because all obligations must be settled when registering a vehicle. However, foreign vehicles usually pass without consequences," Forto said, adding that although the Border Police sees the recorded violations on the screen, it currently has no legal authority to collect fines.

He stated that an additional problem is the slow processing of camera-recorded violations by the competent authorities.

"It happens that after a camera records you, you receive the violation notice only a year later," he stressed.

Forto said that these processes must be digitalized and automated.

"Using IDDEEA’s system as an example, we want to enable issuance of a violation notice within an hour, or even minutes, after a camera records a violation. After that, we can put the Border Police in a position to collect fines already at the country’s exit," he said.

He added that the Border Police currently does not have this authority, but that he will insist that the BiH Ministry of Security submit a proposal to the Council of Ministers to grant it to the Border Police.

He reminded that most countries in the region and Europe already have mechanisms to collect such fines.