Interview of Homo Digitalis with WIRED Greece on the ban on social media use by children under the age of 15.
Homo Digitalis was delighted to participate in the first edition of WIRED Greece magazine!
More specifically, in April we shared our views in an article by journalist Vasilis Tatsiopoulos regarding the proposed measure of the Greek Government on banning the use of social media by children under the age of 15.
You can read the article here.
We would like to thank the journalist for his interest in our work and activities. Homo Digitalis was represented by our Executive Director, Eleftherios Chelioudakis.
Homo Digitalis Press Release on the latest developments of the PREDATOR case
With this Press Release, Homo Digitalis expresses its deep concern regarding the compliance of the Greek legal order with the principles of the Rule of Law and effective judicial protection, in light of the recent developments concerning the investigation into the case of illegal wiretapping through the PREDATOR spyware.
The fact that the Prosecutor of the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) reportedly retained the case file for twenty days without carrying out any preliminary investigative act, while also deciding to keep the case archived despite having previously been formally informed in writing by legal counsel representing victims of the PREDATOR spyware about both the existence of numerous critical documents and the imminent filing of at least six new criminal complaints by victims who have not yet appeared in the criminal proceedings, raises extremely serious concerns regarding the completeness and diligence of the judicial investigation and gives rise to intense legal and institutional concern.
This constitutes an unprecedented case, at the international level, of failure to investigate acts of espionage involving high-ranking state officials serving critical functions of the Greek State, including members of the Greek Government’s cabinet, as well as members of the leadership of the Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Armed Forces. These developments pose a serious risk both to national security and to citizens’ trust in public institutions.
Moreover, these developments are taking place during a particularly critical and institutionally fragile period, in which key independent authorities functioning as checks and balances — and which, in the exercise of their supervisory mandate, have previously brought significant aspects of the PREDATOR scandal to light, namely the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) and the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA), remain without leadership.
The failure to meaningfully investigate acts that may constitute espionage and that concern high-ranking state officials and critical functions of the Greek State raises serious risks for national security and institutional stability. At the same time, the inability to fully clarify cases concerning the confidentiality of communications and the protection of personal data constitutes a direct threat to fundamental rights and undermines core principles of the Rule of Law and the administration of justice.
Interview of Homo Digitalis in the newspaper "TA NEA" on the ΕHDS
On the occasion of the entry into force of the provisions of Regulation 2025/327 regarding the European Health Data Space (EHDS), journalist Petros Konstantinidis and the newspaper TA NEA published an article highlighting the concerns surrounding the access of American Big Tech companies to the European health data platform.
What are the cybersecurity and geopolitical issues that arise?
Our team was represented by Lamprini Gyftokosta, who provided relevant comments, which you can read in the online version of the article available here.
We thank the journalist for his interest in our work.
The provisions of Regulation 2025/327 will come into effect on March 26, 2027, and will be of significant concern in the near future.
Homo Digitalis Interview on NAFTEMPORIKI TV’s "REVIEW" with Takis Spiliopoulos
Yesterday evening, Homo Digitalis was featured on NAFTEMPORIKI TV’s show “REVIEW”, hosted by journalist Takis Spiliopoulos.
Representing our team, Eleftherios Chelioudakis participated in an engaging discussion about our work in public awareness and policy shaping.
Key Discussion Points
–Targeted commercial advertising and its ethical implications
–Addiction to digital platforms
–AI legislation and its impact on society
NGI TALER – Privacy-Focused Digital Payments
We also discussed NGI – The Next Generation Internet and its open funding calls under NGI TALER, a European Commission co-funded initiative aimed at developing a privacy-focused digital payment platform using open-source principles.
(Interested applicants can apply here)
Other Featured Guests
The episode also included insightful discussions with:
–Antonis Ballis, Assistant Professor of Financial Technology, on cash and digital transactions
–Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, on the future of digital policy
A huge thank you to NAFTEMPORIKI TV, Takis Spiliopoulos, and the entire journalistic team, including Liana Thanou, for the kind invitation and the opportunity to share our work.
Watch the full interview here.
From Secrecy to Transparency: The Five-Year Battle for the Publication of Police Camera Operation Decisions
Strategic legal action takes time, but its outcomes benefit society as a whole, strengthening public trust in institutions.
In December 2020, Homo Digitalis, in collaboration with Reporters United and The Press Project, formally requested access to the Hellenic Police’s decisions regarding the operation of drones and other portable cameras in public spaces, as stipulated in Article 12 of Presidential Decree 75/2020. Despite the legal obligation to publish these decisions publicly, the police refused access, disregarding the transparency required by law.
A few months later, in May 2021, we filed a joint complaint before the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA), citing repeated non-compliance by the police—at least 67 times over a short period. The HDPA launched an investigation into the legality of these practices.
In early 2024, we submitted a request for access to HDPA documents to better understand the progress of the investigation. Correspondence between the Hellenic Police and the HDPA revealed that, even as of March 2024, the police continued to argue that Presidential Decree 75/2020 did not require them to publish camera operation decisions, despite the HDPA’s opposing view.
Yesterday, through a report by journalist Giannis Bazaios in Efimerida ton Syntakton, we learned that such a decision had been published on the Hellenic Police’s website. Indeed, upon verification, we found that as of February 17, 2025, the police had changed their practice and begun publishing these decisions as required by law. The report was published today online here.
From the initial refusal in 2020, it took five years for this change to be implemented. We now eagerly await the final decision of the HDPA and the conclusion of its investigation, which will establish a definitive framework for transparency and accountability within law enforcement.
Homo Digitalis Interview on ANT1's show "Your Business Can" with Fai Chrysοchoou
On Sunday, March 9, Homo Digitalis was featured on ANT1’s program “Your Business Can”, hosted by journalist Fai Chrysοchoou.
A huge thank you to the journalist and her team, including Toni Aravadinos, for the kind invitation and their interest in our work!
Key Discussion Points
Representing Homo Digitalis, Eleftherios Chelioudakis spoke about:
–Artificial Intelligence and its regulatory framework
–How legislation acts as a driver of innovation, trust, and entrepreneurship
The Reality of AI & Business Growth
Many non-EU tech companies have historically followed the “Move Fast and Break Things” model, leading to:
–Numerous violations & fines imposed by European regulators
–Social polarization and addiction to social media
–The spread of misinformation
Why Compliance is an Advantage
–Businesses that comply with regulations gain a competitive edge
–Strong legal foundations enable sustainable growth
-Compliance fosters trust, stability, and access to the unified digital market
Ultimately, legislation does not hinder business—it fuels long-term success and strengthens democratic societies!
Interview with Lamprini Gyftokosta of Homo Digitalis in ELLE GREECE’s Feature for International Women’s Day
The magazine ELLE GREECE marks this year’s International Women’s Day (March 8) as a call to action—an opportunity to highlight the power and necessity of demanding rights, the right of every woman to speak up, take up space, and resist the violence inflicted upon her.
In her feature, journalist Foteini Simou brings together women and femininities who raise their voices in unison! They perform on stage, write poetry and songs, engage in drag, and examine issues ranging from the Rule of Law to the unchecked and insatiable digital expansion of Artificial Intelligence.
We are deeply honored that Lamprini Gyftokosta represents Homo Digitalis in this feature, speaking about the urgent need to protect our privacy in a world where sharing personal information has become an everyday norm!
Featured Participants:
The tribute also includes remarkable voices such as:
–Natasa Exintaveloni (actress)
–Erofili Kokkali (writer, sexual health counselor)
–Eleni Alexandraki (director)
–Olina (musician)
–Maria Konstantopoulou (poet, singer)
–Rainbow Mermaids – Katina Bella & Mystic Van Rouge (drag queens)
–Stavroula Papadaki (poet)
–Anastasia Yamali (journalist)
–Maria Nathanael (legal advisor, communications manager at Vouliwatch)
–Christianna Stylianidou (legal advisor, researcher at Vouliwatch)
–Eleni Apostolopoulou (actress, director, member of Potlatch Publications)
–Elli Kriona Saranti (lawyer, legal coordinator at HIAS Greece)
Read the full feature in the March issue of ELLE, available at kiosks and onlinehere.
What’s Happening with the 1,000 Smart Policing Devices of the Hellenic Police, Five Years After Our Complaint to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority ?
What is the status of the 1,000 portable smart policing devices used by the Hellenic Police as part of the Smart Policing program, which incorporate artificial intelligence technologies and cost €4 million? (Spoiler alert: the news is not good!)
Journalist Eftychia Soufleri has written a detailed article for NEWS247.gr (THE MAGAZINE) shedding light on the case and highlighting the key actions taken by Homo Digitalis since 2019. Our Executive Director, Eleftherios Chelioudakis, provided statements on behalf of our organization.
Significant Revelations Emerge for the First Time!
According to the report, despite the absence of any legal framework allowing their use, the Hellenic Police:
Claims to have been using the devices operationally since 2021, even though the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA) has been investigating the matter since August 2020 and continues to do so today.
Confirms that it fully utilizes the biometric processing capabilities of these devices (facial recognition, fingerprint identification).
Validates what was outlined in the 2018 technical specifications document, namely that the devices are used for “preventive policing”, with the collected data potentially being used in the future to establish correlations, conclusions, and predictive analytics.
Awaiting the HDPA’s Decision
We are still awaiting the Hellenic Data Protection Authority’s decision, as its investigation has now lasted over 4 years and 7 months (initiated in August 2020). The situation is escalating rapidly, and the risks to democracy and human rights protection are extremely high.
A big thank you to the journalist for her interest in our work!
You can read the full article here.
Interview of Our President at Women in Digital
Elpida Vamvaká, President of Homo Digitalis and General Legal Counsel at Papaki, spoke to Women in Digital about the need to protect digital rights in Greece, the importance of technology that places people at the center, and the ways in which artificial intelligence can operate responsibly and ethically.
With a focus on the challenges of cybersecurity, the importance of education, and the promotion of gender equality in the tech field, Elpida highlights her vision for a fair, sustainable, and inclusive digital society in her interview. You can read her interview here.
Women In Digital is the editorial and conference initiative of Smarpress. The foundation was laid with the first Women In Digital conference on 8/3/21, where 40 prominent “strong women” from Technology, IT, Startups, and Digital Marketing took the stage. Readers can follow the content through the monthly newsletter or the dedicated website. WID draws its topics from the work of women, both Greek and international, who are active in the STEM sector or apply their digital skills in more traditional fields.