Privacy as a concept is at the very core of equality, and the violation of the right to privacy is often only a step away from discrimination, said Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, at the opening of the “Privacy Week” conference organized by Partners Serbia on the occasion of the International Privacy Day on January 28.

The right to privacy belongs to the group of fundamental rights that aim to protect the moral and mental integrity of every human being, the Commissioner reminded and stated that in the Commissioner’s practice, there were several examples in which the violation of various aspects of the right to privacy was also an act of discrimination.

Acknowledging the arguments that protecting personal data will become increasingly difficult over time, it does not mean it is impossible. I am the head of the institution that in particular should play an important role in defending the right to privacy so that it does not lead to discriminatory treatment or create a hostile environment for that person or group, added the Commissioner.

Privacy and personal data protection issues were the focus of a discussion with experts from the civil, private, and public sectors. Bogdan Banjac, senior adviser at the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality institution, participated in the “Price of Privacy” panel.