The Commissioner for the Right to Information has reacted after another scandal of violating the right to personal data, where the telephone numbers of three million Albanians have been advertised on a website to be sold. 

The Office of the Commissioner will undertake an administrative investigation, as well as seek the cooperation of each institution responsible for clarifying the circumstances of the case. The Office of the Commissioner calls on all bodies operating in this sector (audio / visual, written, online) to be aware of the obligation to respect this individual right. 

"The Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Personal Data Protection, as the supervisory authority of the legislation on personal data protection, seriously assesses any case of violation / violation of this right and fundamental human freedom. 

The Office of the Commissioner has been informed by information published in the media, about the sale of a database on the Internet, which contains generalities, telephone numbers and a job for 3 million citizens. 

Pursuant to Article 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and in fulfillment of the obligations defined in law no. 9887/2008 "On personal data protection", as amended, the Office of the Commissioner will undertake an administrative investigation, and will seek the cooperation of each institution responsible for clarifying the circumstances of the case. 

Assessing the role of the media in exposing negative phenomena, the Office of the Commissioner calls on all bodies operating in this sector (audio / visual, written, online) to be aware of the obligation to respect this individual right. 

The exercise of the right to freedom of expression is not unlimited and in any case, is realized in a balanced and proportionate manner with other fundamental rights and freedoms sanctioned in the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, or in international acts to which our country is a party. (European Convention on Human Rights, Convention 108 "On the protection of individuals against automatic processing of personal data" of the Council of Europe, etc.). 

The "highest public interest" takes precedence over any attempt to turn this situation into a very dangerous game for violating the privacy and personal data of citizens. 

On the other hand, public opinion must be extra careful and aware to refuse involvement in the illegal use / dissemination of this database through any means and form of mass communication," announced the Commissioner.