VOA: Disinformation concerns and malicious foreign interference in the economy

In Albania, the special parliamentary commission against disinformation and other forms of foreign interference in the country's democratic processes has highlighted many problems in this regard. After the reports of several leaders of important institutions in the country, it has been found that there is a lack of coordination between them on the responsibilities related to disinformation, as well as an increasing risk of malicious foreign interventions in the economy and other important sectors. Analysts of international developments think that this situation leaves room for the violation of security in the country.

The special parliamentary commission that was set up recently, to fight disinformation and foreign interference in democratic processes, identifies many problems, especially when it comes to identifying or addressing them. After the Russian aggression in Ukraine, disinformation campaigns and cyber attacks increased in countries that support Ukraine.

According to the data coming from the special commission, the nature of the attacks has also expanded. Finally, one of them aimed at destroying all the services of one of the public health institutions in the country. The chairman of the commission in question, Erion Braçe, in an interview with the Voice of America, pointed out with concern that cases of foreign interference have been noticed in some sectors of the economy.

"Starting after the war in Ukraine, a large part of Russian economic operators, in order to avoid sanctions, have registered in EU countries and continue their activity from there, while the origin of their shareholders is in Russia. This phenomenon has been observed and is ours, whether in direct beneficial owners or beneficial owners of subcontractors of economic operators operating within the territory of the Republic of Albania. Unfortunately, we have a lack of coordination between the institutions as far as the beneficial owners are concerned. The data in the National Business Center do not match the data that other institutions have as far as the beneficial owners are concerned" - says Erion Braçe - Chairman of the Special Commission against disinformation and other forms of foreign interference in the country's democratic processes.

The Voice of America asked the KKB about this concern. In the written response, this institution clarifies that it constantly sends its contribution to the Disinformation Commission, with data and analysis for the beneficial owners of malicious countries.

On the other hand, it informs that KKB is responsible for the registration, administration or processing of the data declared by the subjects, and not for their truth, which is the subject's own responsibility. Also, the CKB further states that it is the competent authorities such as the General Directorate for the Prevention of Money Laundering, the Bank of Albania, the Tax Directorate, the Financial Supervision Authority, the Police, the Prosecutor's Office, or the Special Prosecutor's Office, which have free electronic access, in the data registered in the Register of Beneficial Owners.

In cases where they find that the data recorded in this register do not match the data that these institutions have regarding these owners, they notify the subject as well as the National Business Center - clarifies KKB.

On the other hand, analysts of international developments draw attention to the fact that malicious foreign interventions in the economy have different forms.

"In addition to the espionage networks that operate everywhere in Europe, they try to recruit various agents of economic enterprises, of various institutions, but also various elements that they consider to be powerful opposition voices who make politics in favor of Russia" - it is stated Petrit Nathanaili, lecturer of history and international relations, UT.

After the Russian aggression in Ukraine, disinformation campaigns also intensified. This issue in Albania presents many problems, as far as their identification is concerned. The chairman of the special commission against disinformation and other foreign interference in democratic processes, Erion Brace, says that there is currently no article that addresses issues of disinformation within the country's territory. And that seems to complicate the matter even further.

"In matters of disinformation, I do not find institutions that identify online disinformation campaigns or that analyze and address the problem, even by correcting and correcting the information that comes in the context of disinformation. Unfortunately, we were discovered" - says Mr. Braçe.

The special parliamentary commission against disinformation in the absence of legal spaces on disinformation is currently based on the methodology of the similar commission in the European Parliament.

Meanwhile, in the context of international developments, analysts single out for the Voice of America the danger that comes from the penetration of disinformation

"The Russian danger, especially in a country like Albania that has deficiencies in the consolidation and efficiency of institutions, can create manipulations and misinformation that cause a chaotic environment that would hinder the normal development of institutions" - says Dritan Hoti, professor of international relations at the Mediterranean University of Albania.

Some time ago, AKEP blocked 155 Russian and 8 Iranian websites belonging to the Iranian Homeland Justice group, on the recommendation of the European Commission. This institution told the Voice of America that the Russian state portal RT, formerly known as Russia Today, as well as 66 websites that do not belong to Russia or Iran, but are indirectly connected to these countries, have also been blocked. AKEP clarifies that these access blocks were based on the requests of the responsible institutions that evaluate the content.

The chairman of the anti-disinformation commission, Mr. Braçe, explains that these Russian pages were spreading propaganda within the territory of Albania, and were addressing Albanian citizens with acts of disinformation regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These forms aim at conflict in all countries that support Ukraine, he argues, while adding that another phenomenon has also been found.

"What we have noticed is that there are other pages not only on the Internet but also on social networks that address Russian propaganda in the Albanian language and that are still not closed," continues Mr. Braçe.

Asked by the Voice of America how to act in such cases, the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority clarified in the written response "that the blocks required of electronic communications entrepreneurs (Internet Service Providers - ISPs, that provide Internet service in the Republic of Albania) do not extend to the media or social platforms".

"Such a thing is technically impossible since electronic communications entrepreneurs can make it possible to close the domain and not the different accounts" - says AKP.

Like many other countries, Albania is not immune to cyber attacks, disinformation or other malicious interventions in the country's democratic processes. The issue that experts pose today is not whether or not these phenomena are present, but how challenging and threatening they are.

In conditions where Albania has a lot to do in this direction, analysts urge the adoption of quick legal measures in order to prevent or mitigate the impact of foreign interventions in the country. VOA