In June 2026, a public controversy emerged in Mongolia after the news website Zuv.mn was reportedly fined 20 million MNT following a complaint by an official of a state-owned company over the use of his photograph in public-interest reporting in January 2026. Media reports indicated that the photograph had been treated as “biometric information” under personal data protection rules, raising concerns about the application of privacy protections in a journalistic context.
The decision prompted strong reactions from journalists, media organisations and civil society actors. The Mongolian Journalists Association submitted demands to the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the National Human Rights Commission, warning that the sanction could undermine press freedom and the public’s right to information. Zuv.mn also publicly challenged the decision and requested clarification from the National Human Rights Commission on the legal basis for the sanction.
The case also drew political criticism. Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral argued that the use of a public official’s photograph in journalistic reporting should not be treated as unlawful use of biometric data, describing the sanction as an infringement on freedom of expression and the public’s right to know. The Speaker of Parliament similarly criticised the decision and called for accountability for officials involved in restricting press freedom.
The case highlights growing concern over the balance between personal data protection and media freedom in Mongolia. While privacy protections are important, applying them in a way that penalises reporting on public officials and matters of public interest may create a chilling effect on investigative journalism and weaken public oversight.