April 28, 2026 | 06:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Greek authorities are considering banning online anonymity to prevent hoaxes and hate speech by anonymous users, Greece's Digital Governance Minister, Dimitris Papastergiou, said Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
"The major problem behind anonymity is toxicity—anyone, especially on social media, can smear an individual and carry out character assassination without facing any consequences. We must find a way to require platforms to verify the identity of accounts," Papastergiou told the Euractiv news portal, as quoted by Antara.
According to him, in Ancient Greece, people could openly express their views and share opinions, and that model should "inspire" the development of a new form of "digital democracy."
He said the idea has been discussed by the government for several months and is currently being reviewed at the highest levels, including the Prime Minister's office. Papastergiou also mentioned that several technical solutions exist to verify user identities.
Papstergiou argued that while social media platforms would prefer to maintain billions of anonymous accounts to sustain their business models, the government must "safeguard democracy" and "foster a public sphere from toxicity."
Euractiv reported that previous attempts by Greek law enforcement to identify users spreading hate speech and slander anonymously have been unsuccessful.
The portal, citing Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, said that the initiative is not aimed at eliminating anonymity or pseudonyms, but rather ensuring that each account is connected to a verified individual.
Read: EU Age Verification App Announced to Protect Children Online
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Eyes Sending Migrant Workers to Greece
7 hari lalu
Indonesia is working to accelerate the migrant worker placement in Greece through a government-to-government (g-to-g) scheme.
5 Easiest Countries to Move and Work in 2026: Portugal, Mexico, & More
19 Februari 2026
From Portugal to Mexico and Costa Rica, the easiest countries to move and work in 2026 stand out for offering straightforward processes.
Morgan Stanley Capital International, Drivers of Capital Flows
12 Februari 2026
Morgan Stanley Capital International highlights several markets, underscoring vast influence of the global index provider in directing capital flows
Here Are Unique New Year Traditions Across the World, Secure Your 2026 Luck!
29 Desember 2025
Some of these New Year traditions have been around for hundreds, even thousands of years
TasteAtlas Declares Italy World's Best Cuisine, What About Indonesia?
6 Desember 2025
The latest global ranking of 100 top cuisines reinforces Italy's recent World Culinary Awards victory and its status as a culinary powerhouse.
Why Greece is Named World's Best Place to Retire
5 Desember 2025
The International Living's 2026 Global Retirement Index identifies Greece as the top destination for retirees.
Best Places to Go in Europe for 2026 and What Makes Them Special
11 November 2025
From Milan's cultural flair to Crete's coastal delights, the best places to go in Europe in 2026 promise one-of-a-kind charms at every turn.
Greece Protests Erupt as Unions Reject Proposed 13-Hour Workday
3 Oktober 2025
Massive demonstrations in Greece have paralyzed the public transportation sector. The people are rejecting new rules about working 13 hours a day.
Activists Give Update on Global Sumud Flotilla Journey to Gaza
30 September 2025
The ships involved in the humanitarian mission Global Sumud Flotilla are getting closer to Gaza. They are delivering humanitarian aid.
Oldest Sport in the World: Ranking the Top 5 in History
9 September 2025
While tracing its exact origins may be difficult, wrestling is widely recognized as the oldest sport in the world, having been practiced for millennia
