The emergence of an official registry detailing individuals and organizations targeted by the Predator spyware has provided a stark new perspective on Greece’s surveillance crisis. This revelation by the Vima newspaper follows a landmark decision by an Athens court, which handed down 126-year prison sentences to four individuals linked to the illegal software.
The Hellenic Data Protection Authority (DPA) investigation uncovered a sprawling network of targets that effectively spanned the country’s power centers. The list includes:
- Government & Politics: High-ranking ministers, advisors to Prime Minister Mitsotakis, and lawmakers from both the ruling party and the opposition.
- Institutions: The Hellenic Parliament, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Presidency of the Government.
- Media & Business: Newspaper editors, media corporations, advertising, and prominent business executives.
The DPA conducted a rigorous technical inquiry before notifying targets via personal letters. As the report in Vima notes, despite the widespread nature of the breach, only a handful of victims—most notably PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis—have pursued legal recourse. The silence of many other notified figures has triggered fresh public and political scrutiny.
Predator spyware scandal: Lingering accountability issues
According to the report, despite the judicial confirmation of illegal activity, several critical questions remain:
- Lack of Transparency: No victim has been officially informed of the justifications for their surveillance.
- Institutional Resistance: The National Intelligence Service (EYP) has reportedly ignored a ruling from Greece’s highest administrative court regarding disclosure, prompting appeals to the European Court of Human Rights.
- State Inaction: Critics have questioned why the Greek government did not participate in the legal proceedings as a civil claimant, given that state institutions were among the primary targets.
The scandal is now gaining significant international momentum. The European Parliament is scheduled to discuss the Athens court’s ruling this week, shifting the focus of the “Greek Watergate” toward a broader European debate on transparency and the rule of law.
The list of people targeted by Predator spyware and obtained by Vima newspaper.
Related: Surge in State Wiretaps: “National Security” Eavesdropping in Greece Jumps 23%