The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has issued accusations against the government, claiming that a mass surveillance system has been established in Albania, which, according to him, seriously endangers the privacy of citizens.
In a press statement from the Democratic Party, Berisha stated that after blocking the TikTok network, the government has installed advanced communications interception technology, which - according to him - is not used even by the most authoritarian countries.
"It is the most police-like technology that can be deployed, with which the privacy of every citizen, Albanian or foreign, is totally controlled," declared Berisha, adding that this is "an ugly police operation " that is also being accompanied by changes to the Criminal Code, with the aim - according to him - of punishing citizens and journalists who criticize the government.
He warned that, if not stopped, this system will seriously affect the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.
Berisha also accused the government of the "Smart City" project, claiming that the real goal is to place cameras in every public and private space, for mass surveillance purposes.
"Every entrance and exit will be controlled with cameras. With the so-called Smart City, more total control is being established over citizens," said Berisha, adding that this project, instead of serving citizens with information on public services or traffic, is being used for surveillance and eavesdropping purposes.
He called this an " open escalation of the establishment of a police state" and called on citizens to react to the suppression of privacy and personal freedom.