The Ministry of the Interior is taking disciplinary action, regarding the case of sending promotional emails to Greeks abroad, by MEP Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou. At the same time, as stated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, it will further strengthen security measures in relation to the protection of personal data.

The extensive findings carried out by the Ministry’s Internal Audit Unit were delivered today to the Head of the Athens District Attorney’s Office and to the President of the Personal Data Protection Authority.

A central element of the finding is the verification, during the period of May – June 2023, of non-institutionally prescribed traffic, within the Ministry of the Interior, of personal data of Greek citizens living abroad who had registered to vote in the 2023 parliamentary elections.

In detail, in its announcement, the Ministry of the Interior states:

From the first moment, the political leadership of the Ministry of the Interior stated that the case of complaints about sending e-mails to Greek citizens living abroad will be fully clarified.

Precisely for this reason, on the first working day after the citizens’ complaints, Minister Niki Kerameos and Deputy Minister Thodoris Livanios, gave an order for an internal audit to be carried out at the Ministry of the Interior.

The Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry carried out a full audit that resulted in an extensive conclusion, which Ms. Kerameos and Mr. Livanios handed over today to the Head of the Athens Prosecutor’s Office and the President of the Personal Data Protection Authority, to facilitate their investigations.

A central element of the finding is the verification, during the period of May – June 2023, of non-institutionally prescribed traffic, within the Ministry of the Interior, of personal data of Greek citizens living abroad who had registered to vote in the 2023 parliamentary elections.

The finding recommends disciplinary action based on the findings. Recommendations are also included to further strengthen security measures in relation to the protection of personal data.

On the basis of the Internal Audit findings, the Minister and the Deputy Minister proceed with the procedures for the said disciplinary actions as well as for the further strengthening of the security measures in relation to the protection of personal data.