Under Pressure: Digital Security of Civil Society in the Western Balkans and the European Union
The findings reveal a threat landscape shaped by surveillance, phishing, platform-based harassment, and account compromise, with confirmed and suspected spyware deployments in Serbia, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Greece, and Spain. Digital repression intensifies predictably during elections, protests, and publishing of investigative stories, yet most organisations lack the capacity to respond effectively. While foundational security measures are increasingly common, advanced practices and organisational protocols remain rare. Access to digital forensic support is limited and largely unknown to those who need it most.
Beyond the technical gaps, system is largely failing; legal remedies are widely perceived as weak or non-existent, institutional responses are slow and inconsistent, and organisational cooperation is underdeveloped. The most urgent needs are digital security training, affordable forensic services, trusted expert access, and dedicated funding, needs that cut across both regions, but are particularly acute in the Western Balkans.
The analysis provides cross-country evidence base for coordinated action by civil society networks, donors, national institutions, and digital platforms committed to protecting civic space in an increasingly hostile digital environment.
MISSION
The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) is an independent think-tank that contributes to advancing the security of people in accordance with democratic principles and respect for human rights through research, public advocacy, community development and education.
VISION
A democratic society overseen by accountable institutions, in which security is a public good and people are free, equal and free from fear.
The values of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy are:
Human rights and freedoms
Democracy
Accountability and transparency
Integrity
Solidarity
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Providing evidence-based policy opinions, advises and information which will lead to further European security architecture, democratic governance of security sector and foreign policy which is based on the European Union core values and principles,
Supporting development of civil society organizations and advocates of change in order to create environment for more transparent, accountable and responsive state institutions in country,
Providing analysis in the area of security, rule of law, foreign and defense policy of Serbia for domestic, foreign and international decision makers, journalists, students and interested public,
Education of democratic leaders in the areas of security, human rights, foreign policy and their engagement in the foreign, defense and security community of European Union,
Supporting human rights activists, freedom fighters and whistleblowers in order to encourage their mission and increase democratic capacities of the whole society.
