Parliamentary question - E-001449/2022Parliamentary question
E-001449/2022
European Parliament

Use of the ‘Predator’ spyware in Greece

13.4.2022

Answer in writing

Question for written answer  E-001449/2022/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Dimitrios Papadimoulis (The Left)

A report from the day before yesterday[1] has revealed that the ‘Predator’ spyware was used for at least 10 weeks to systematically monitor the journalist Thanasis Koukakis. Previously, on 12 August 2020, he had submitted a complaint to the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADΑΕ). It should be noted that ADAE’s reply to that allegation came nearly a year later. In the meantime, a new Greek government had been voted in which provided that, in cases of the existence or invocation of reasons of national security, citizens are no longer entitled to information concerning the breach of confidentiality concerning their communications[2]. In December 2021, studies were published by the company Meta (formerly Facebook)[3] and Citizen Lab from the University of Toronto[4] identifying the use of the spyware in Greece too. When asked to comment on the issue, the government spokesperson appeared convinced that the monitoring had been carried out by a private person[5]. The Committee to Protect Journalists[6] and the International Press Institute[7] are calling on the Greek Government to give explanations as to how the software was used to spy on the journalist’s mobile phone, and who used it.

In the light of the above:

Last updated: 12 May 2022
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