Lapsi.al report on a 910,000-voter database held by the Socialist Party (2021)
Status: Allegation disputed. SPAK action reported against the outlet, not the party. No final outcome found.
Summary
In April 2021, two weeks before the parliamentary election, Lapsi.al reported that the Socialist Party held personal data on 910,000 voters, allegedly taken from the Civil Registry and used for the campaign. Civil-society groups said the party acted as data controller under the law; the US ambassador, Transparency International and President Ilir Meta asked prosecutors to investigate (Exit News, Transparency International).
The Socialist Party first denied possessing the database, later said the database existed but that data was provided voluntarily by citizens through door-to-door contact, and said the published excerpts were not theirs. SPAK opened investigations into Lapsi.al after the full file was published online and summoned its owners and editors; no investigation into the Socialist Party was reported. Bild published wiretaps involving government members and Durres criminal figures; a prosecution inquiry into the leak of the tapes was reported, with its date unconfirmed.
No final court outcome was found in the sources reviewed.
Key facts
- Lapsi.al reported the database of 910,000 voters two weeks before the April 2021 election (Exit News).
- SPAK opened investigations into Lapsi.al after the full file appeared online (Exit News).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- The Socialist Party acknowledged that a database of voter data exists (party statement, per Exit News).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationUse of Civil Registry data for campaign purposes by the Socialist Party.
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationLapsi.al: the Socialist Party held Civil Registry data of 910,000 voters and used it for campaigning.
Open questions (3)
- How the data was obtained and whether it came from the Civil Registry (ALUIZNI).
- Whether SPAK ever investigated the Socialist Party.
- Outcome of the investigation into the Lapsi.al file and of the wiretap-leak inquiry.
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Socialist Party: first denied possession of the database; later said it exists but was voluntarily supplied by citizens; said the published excerpts are not theirs (Exit News summary; the spokesperson is not named in the summary).
Timeline
Full timeline →Media
Lapsi.al reports a 910,000-voter database held by the Socialist Party
Two weeks before the April 2021 election, Lapsi.al reported the database; the Socialist Party denied possession, then said data was voluntarily supplied. SPAK investigated the outlet. Exact day not confirmed in sources.
Media
Lapsi.al publishes the database report
Lapsi.al publishes a database it says the PS held, covering about 910,000 people (mostly Tirana per most reports). Exit and Transparency International both give 11 April 2021.
Connections
Alleged holder of voter data
Evidence: Lapsi.al alleged the PS held Civil Registry data of 910,000 voters; the PS first denied possession.
- Investigation←Patronazhistet scandal: the Socialist Party's patronage network and the April 2021 voter databaseSource label: Officially reported
Same reported 910,000-record database as the existing case in(not duplicated here)
Evidence: Both files describe the Lapsi.al report of 11 April 2021; see case-lapsi-910k-voter-database-2021 for the existing entry.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Exit News
- Date
- Apr 2021
- Publisher
- Transparency International
- Date
- 22 Apr 2021
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 1 source
- Publisher
- Exit News
- Date
- Apr 2021
Source label: DisputedDisputed · 1 source
- Publisher
- Exit News
- Date
- Apr 2021