Greece - May 2024

The Data Protection Authority of Greece has found that a file containing the personal email addresses and data of thousands of expatriate voters from the 2023 Greek national elections was leaked from the Interior Ministry to Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, an MEP for the ruling New Democracy party. The Interior Ministry was fined EUR 400,000, and Asimakopoulou received a fine of EUR 40,000 for violating voter privacy. Investigations into New Democracy's involvement in the scandal are ongoing, and additional fines may be imposed. Asimakopoulou used the list to send mass campaign emails to Greek expatriates, promoting her re-election bid to the European Parliament on the same day the Interior Ministry sent a separate message to inform voters about postal voting procedures. Asimakopoulou, who previously served as vice-chair of the committee on international trade, has resigned.

Source: Data Protection Authority, Politico, Reuters

Update: On 21 October, the Personal Data Protection Authority issued a fine of EUR 30,000 to the ruling New Democracy party for its involvement in leaking voter records. Its former Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Nikos Theodoropoulos, was fined an additional EUR 10,000 for leaking the data to Asimakopoulou. The party has sought to appeal the decision. 

Sources: Politico, Hellenic Data Protection Authority, Greek Reporter