The media giant RTL Croatia, known for its wide range of news and entertainment programming and as a leading broadcaster in the region, has appointed Tijana Žunić Marić, partner at Zunic Law, as its Data Representative in Serbia as of November 2024.
In addition to RTL Croatia, Tijana has also been appointed as a Data Protection Representative in Serbia for other major companies, including, among others, Bloomberg Adria, eSky, as well as Data Protection Officer for Lesnina S, Wemedoo AG, Genial Science, and several other large organizations.
This appointment marks another significant achievement for Tijana Žunić Marić, who has also been recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader in the field of data protection.
Zunic Law has also been recognized as the Law Firm of the Year in Serbia by the Lexology Index, while Legal 500, one of the world’s leading legal ranking platforms, has ranked our firm in the areas of Employment Law and Corporate Law.
Our clients have said about us:
“Absolute dedication to fully understanding clients’ needs before proposing the best solution.”
Zunic Law for Data Protection
Zunic Law is the most internationally recognized law firm in Serbia in the field of personal data protection.
Within its data protection practice, Zunic Law provides clients with the service of a Data Protection Representative in Serbia. This service is particularly important due to the extraterritorial application of the Law on Personal Data Protection (LPDP), which is aligned with Article 27 of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The obligation to appoint a representative applies to foreign companies, such as RTL, that do not have a registered office in Serbia but offer their products or services within its territory or process the personal data of Serbian citizens. Such companies, which process personal data of individuals residing or staying in Serbia, are generally required by law to appoint a “Representative for Serbia” — a local natural or legal person, formally authorized to represent the company in matters related to data protection and to communicate with the Serbian Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, as well as with data subjects.
By appointing a representative, individuals are given easier access to exercise their data protection rights, while companies strengthen public trust through transparent and compliant business operations.
Failure to appoint a representative may lead to serious consequences, including significant financial penalties and reputational damage. Although Serbia is not a member of the European Union, its Law on Personal Data Protection is fully harmonized with the GDPR, providing a solid legal framework for the protection of citizens’ personal data.
Non-compliance with this obligation often results from a lack of understanding of local regulations, which is why it is crucial for foreign companies to take timely steps toward compliance. In doing so, they ensure legal certainty, respect for individual rights, and the promotion of responsible business practices in Serbia.
As we have previously written, there is an important distinction between the Representative in Serbia and the European concept of the Data Protection Officer (DPO), despite their similar responsibilities. You can read more about the differences between these two roles in our article titled Data Protection Officer vs Country Representative for Serbia.
Unfortunately, data controllers and processors with global operations often fail to view Serbia as part of the European data protection landscape and therefore neglect obligations that safeguard the rights of Serbian citizens. This can result in negative consequences, including fines and reputational risks. Accordingly, entities that are subject to the obligation to appoint a Representative for Serbia should take steps to ensure compliance with the law, thereby enabling individuals to exercise their data protection rights.
RTL Croatia
RTL is a Croatian television channel known for its rich and diverse programming that includes news, entertainment, and sports content, as well as domestic and international productions.
The channel focuses on delivering relevant and impartial information while offering shows that combine modern formats with popular culture. RTL provides its audience with a dynamic television experience that blends information and entertainment under the slogan “More Than Television.”
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For more information on whether your company is required to appoint a Representative for Serbia, visit our blog on this topic: Does Your Company Need to Appoint a Representative for Serbia?
Software solutions like Whisperly can greatly simplify compliance with the Serbian Data Protection Law (LPDP) by automating key processes.
