Law on electronic communication adopted

The Serbian parliament on Tuesday in Belgrade adopted the controversial new Law on Electronic Communication. The state ombudsman and several opposition parties warned that the new law enables the state to look at private communication between citizens without a court order. Law on electronic communication adopted The law was supported by 117 MPs of the ruling coalition, while four abstained and five did not vote. In contentious article 128 of the law, states that operators need to keep information from electronic communications in case they are needed for investigations of crimes, according with the criminal procedures legislation, and for the protection of the national and public security of the Republic of Serbia. The ombudsman called for the an amendment that would make police and security services require a court decision in order to see this data, but the ruling coalition did not accept the proposal. However, another amendment, that calls for the trustee for public information to monitor the implementation of the law, has been accepted. The law was also criticized by many experts, and the ombudsman announced that the Constitutional Court would be asked to weigh in on the constitutionality of the bill. The ombudsman stated on several occasions that the Constitution guarantees the secrecy of communications. The law focuses on organizing electronic communication, including projecting, construction, implementing, use and maintenance of the electronic networks. It also controls the use of radio frequency spectrum, distribution and broadcast of media content, protection of the rights of users, the security and integrity of electronic communication networks and services. The law was also needed in order to change analog signals to digital ones legally.

Law on electronic communication adopted

The law was supported by 117 MPs of the ruling coalition, while four abstained and five did not vote.

In contentious article 128 of the law, states that operators need to keep information from electronic communications in case they are needed for investigations of crimes, according with the criminal procedures legislation, and for the protection of the national and public security of the Republic of Serbia.

The ombudsman called for the an amendment that would make police and security services require a court decision in order to see this data, but the ruling coalition did not accept the proposal.

However, another amendment, that calls for the trustee for public information to monitor the implementation of the law, has been accepted.

The law was also criticized by many experts, and the ombudsman announced that the Constitutional Court would be asked to weigh in on the constitutionality of the bill.

The ombudsman stated on several occasions that the Constitution guarantees the secrecy of communications.

The law focuses on organizing electronic communication, including projecting, construction, implementing, use and maintenance of the electronic networks.

It also controls the use of radio frequency spectrum, distribution and broadcast of media content, protection of the rights of users, the security and integrity of electronic communication networks and services.

The law was also needed in order to change analog signals to digital ones legally.