SPEAK is a platform developed within the project “Surveillance and Censorship in the Western Balkans”, supported by the OSF-WB, that allows users to safely and anonymously report abuses of surveillance and censorship across the Western Balkans, which includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Digital rights violations in Romania, Hungary, Turkey, and Croatia, are also being monitored and submissions from these countries are welcome as well. 

The platform empowers citizens, journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations to speak out and use your voice against surveillance and censorship. BIRN carefully reviews each submission and may investigate further through in-depth investigative stories or as part of ongoing research projects. This approach is enabling to shed light on critical issues and hold accountable those who threaten freedom of expression and privacy. 

Why It Matters 

Growing use of digital surveillance and censorship tools in the region poses serious risks to fundamental rights. SPEAK provides a trusted and secure channel for reporting abuses, helping increase transparency, raise public awareness and support accountability. 

How It Works 

Reports are submitted through BIRN’s Engaged Citizen Reporting (ECR) tool, which ensures full anonymity and data protection. No IP addresses or personal data are collected. Only well-documented reports related to surveillance and censorship are considered for further investigation. 

The SPEAK platfrom can be accessed via following link – SPEAK – Digital Freedoms Monitoring Tool