Serbia’s Expanding Surveillance Network Raises Privacy and Legal Concerns

A BIRN investigation found that Serbian public institutions have purchased thousands of surveillance devices over the past five years, including facial recognition-capable cameras, licence plate readers, voice recognition tools, behavioural analytics systems, and surveillance drones. Many of these technologies have been deployed in schools, hospitals, public transport, and other public facilities despite limited regulation governing their use.

The report highlights growing concerns that the expansion of biometric surveillance is outpacing legal safeguards. Experts interviewed by BIRN warned that facial recognition, audio recording, behavioural analysis, and vehicle-tracking systems could enable extensive monitoring and profiling of citizens, creating risks for privacy and civil liberties.

Author: Aleksa Tesic
Publication: Balkan Insight (BIRN)
Link to Article: https://balkaninsight.com/2026/03/03/chilling-effect-serbias-growing-network-of-slippery-surveillance-technology/