GREECE. The country’s authorities is considering measures to bounds anonymity connected κοινωνικά networks successful an effort to trim the level of aggression and impunity connected the Internet.
The work reports this Euroactiv with notation to statements by the Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou.
The inaugural is already being discussed astatine a precocious level, including among the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis — and could go 1 of the cardinal themes successful integer authorities up of the 2027 elections.
What precisely bash they want to change?
We are not talking astir a implicit prohibition connected pseudonyms, but the authorities want to guarantee that each relationship has a verified existent identity.
According to Papastergiou, the occupation is that:
- anonymous users spread slander and threats;
- platforms whitethorn not ever respond effectively;
- victims of such attacks are near without protection.
“The main occupation with anonymity is toxicity,” — the curate noted, adding that it is indispensable to find a mechanics that will let require platforms to place users.
Ancient ideology arsenic an argument
The Greek authorities adjacent entreaty to humanities experience, recalling that successful past Athens citizens spoke retired openly – “by sanction and with a raised hand.”
This rule is projected to beryllium adapted to the integer era, forming, arsenic officials enactment it, “a much liable online environment”.
Why now
The inaugural appeared against the backdrop of disapproval of the ruling New Democracy enactment and personally of Kirbyakos Mitsotakis:
- growth of assertive contented connected κοινωνικά networks;
- increased incidence of online bullying;
- concerns astir fake quality and coordinated accusation campaigns.
Attaches peculiar value to this contented approaching parliamentary elections, where the integer situation plays an progressively salient role.
Where is the border
The cardinal contented is not banning anonymity, but controlling it.
In fact, the exemplary under treatment assumes that a user tin support a pseudonym successful nationalist space, but his individuality indispensable beryllium known to the level oregon made available upon petition by authorities.
This means moving to the system:
- “anonymity for the public”;
- “identification for the state.”
Editorial comment
The inaugural looks logical – but lone astatine archetypal glance. Fighting “toxicity” has agelong been a universal mentation for expanding power implicit the online space.
Context, however, is much important than wording. Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis enters the 2027 predetermination cycle, and it is astatine this infinitesimal that the question of limiting anonymity connected κοινωνικά networks is raised. A coincidence that inevitably raises questions astir the governmental information for such steps.
Officially, we are talking astir ensuring that users are liable for their words. In fact, a exemplary is being discussed successful which Each relationship indispensable person a verified identity. This is not a nonstop prohibition connected anonymity, but it is simply a step towards making it controlled.
The cardinal question remains unanswered: however precisely this will beryllium implemented. VPN, Tor, proxies and different anonymization tools are present to stay. Without strict involution astatine the supplier level, such a system will inevitably work selectively – primarily affecting mean users, but not those who purposefully question to support anonymity.
Against this backdrop, the broader discourse cannot beryllium ignored. Greece is already facing disapproval of the state of media freedom wrong EUincluding unit connected journalists and the use of lawsuits arsenic a tool of influence. In such conditions, immoderate initiatives that summation power implicit the integer situation are perceived not lone arsenic technical measures, but besides arsenic elements of governmental regularisation of the accusation space.
The acquisition of caller years shows: such mechanisms seldom stay within the stated framework. They are gradually expanding, changing the equilibrium betwixt information and state of expression.
For present it’s conscionable a substance of discussion. But it is astatine this stage that the rules are formed, which subsequently find where user extortion ends and power of nationalist statement begins.
We will show the signifier successful which this inaugural reaches the draught law.
Greek (GR) · 
English (US) ·