Data Protection Day – 28 January

On the occasion of Data Protection Day, Impetus – Center for Internet, Development and Good Governance, in cooperation with the Агенција за заштита на личните податоци Agjencia për Mbrojtjen e të Dhënave and СУГС гимназија ,,Никола Карев“ – Скопје organised an event at “Nikola Karev” High School – Skopje, dedicated to raising awareness among young people about the importance of privacy and personal data protection in everyday digital life.

During the event, a video created by the students themselves was presented – a strong example of how young people can be active contributors to promoting digital responsibility and online safety.

Together with the Bureau for Development of Education, key topics were discussed with the students, including:

the right to privacy
safe use of the internet and social media
rights and obligations related to sharing personal data

The discussion also addressed how smart devices, card payments, biometric health and fitness apps, and social media activity leave an increasing digital footprint. While digital connectivity expands opportunities, it also exposes individuals to significant risks such as data breaches, identity theft, and surveillance.

Students were encouraged to think critically about what data they share, with whom, for what purpose, and how they can control and manage its use.

Data Protection Day is marked every year on 28 January in honour of Convention 108 of the Council of Europe, adopted in Strasbourg in 1981 as the first legally binding international treaty on personal data protection. The Convention laid the foundations for modern data protection frameworks, including the GDPR.

Let this day serve as a reminder that protecting privacy is a shared responsibility of institutions, the education system, citizens, and especially young generations.