National Security Council: The surveillance system functions based on the previously granted consent of the AZLP

At today's session, the National Security Council adopted information from the Ministry of the Interior on the importance of using video surveillance of public areas for the national security system and, after a detailed discussion, concluded that the surveillance system functions based on the previously granted consent of the Agency for the Protection of Personal Data and Free Access to Information, announced is from this Government of Montenegro.

The council recommended to continue with the constant improvement of the surveillance system itself, respecting the principle of balance between the protection of human rights and importance for national security, the statement added.

Yesterday, the Government of Montenegro adopted the information of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Danilo Šaranović, about the possible harmful consequences of the eventual shutdown of the video surveillance system on public areas with negative implications for national security.

The Council of the Agency for Personal Data Protection ordered last week the Ministry of the Interior to turn off video surveillance on the streets of Podgorica, Bar and Budva, because the cameras are connected to facial recognition software. Šaranović informed the Government yesterday that the Ministry of Internal Affairs asked the Agency for Personal Data Protection (AZLP) to postpone the execution of the aforementioned decision, disputing it on several grounds, including the substantive legal aspect, which is why a lawsuit was filed with the Administrative Court.

"It is incorrect that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) looks into someone's apartment through the video surveillance system of public areas. The video surveillance system of public areas is something that has existed in Montenegro since 2019. In 2020, the system was implemented and since then the same system without any what kind of superstructures or modifications does it function on the basis of the consent given at the time by the Agency for the Protection of Personal Data and Free Access to Information", Saranović pointed out today during a guest appearance in Boje jurat.

At today's session, the National Security Council marked as a priority finding a solution regarding the accelerated entry of foreigners into Montenegro during the tourist season, without jeopardizing the security situation in the country. In this regard, further steps will be taken in relation to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, MSIP and the Customs Administration, the Government announced.

The formation of the Interdepartmental Commission for the analysis of all strategic documents, laws and by-laws from the domain of the intelligence-security sector was proposed, with the aim of identifying shortcomings and formulating recommendations for improving the national security policy.

In addition, the Council praised the work of the Bureau for Operational Coordination of Security Services (BOK) and emphasized the importance of continuing the fight against organized crime and corruption, while intensifying activities on the development of relevant strategies, according to the press release.

In addition to the members of the council, the session was attended by invitation by Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novović, Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Defense and Security Todor Goranović and representatives of the AZLP Council, Muhamed Đokaj and Zoran Vujičić.