Law & politics
Coordinated online attacks would become a crime under a new bill
The proposal creates two offences, organised online targeting and publishing someone's address or phone number to intimidate them. MPs examined it on Wednesday.
A bill by Disy MP Fotini Tsiridou would make coordinated online attacks on a specific person a criminal offence, with up to five years in prison in the most serious cases. The House Legal Affairs Committee, which she chairs, examined it on Wednesday. It is not law yet.
The bill amends the 2021 Law on Protection from Harassment and Stalking. It is titled the Protection from Harassment and Stalking (Amendment) Law of 2026, Politis reported when it was submitted in September.
Two new offences
The first is organised online targeting. A person would be liable if, after prior communication or other coordinated action with one or more people, they organise, coordinate, incite or knowingly make a substantial contribution to online conduct that amounts to harassment or stalking.
Prosecutors would have to prove that the accused knew the conduct was coordinated and that its aim was to harass or intimidate a specific person. Several people expressing views at the same time or one after another would not be enough on its own. A common purpose is required.
The basic penalty would be up to three years in prison, a fine of up to €30,000, or both. It would rise to five years and €50,000 if the conduct makes the victim fear violence against themselves or a family member, or causes serious distress that substantially affects daily life.
The second offence covers doxxing: publishing information that can locate or identify someone without the right to do so, in order to cause fear or harassment or expose them to real and serious risk. The details include a home address, current or usual location, phone numbers, workplace information and details about underage family members. The same penalties apply, with the higher tier where the disclosure creates an immediate risk of violence or causes serious harm.
Defences cover disclosures required by law or a court order, or made for journalistic purposes or a good-faith contribution to a public-interest discussion.
Aggravating circumstances include fake or multiple accounts, automated mass dissemination, continuing after a court order or warning, and publishing the victim’s locating details.
The free speech question
The bill explicitly protects press freedom, investigative journalism, political criticism, academic, scientific, artistic and literary expression, satire and public debate. Expressing an opinion, criticising, or publishing information on a matter of public interest would not by itself be an offence.
Courts would weigh how far the conduct contributes to a public-interest debate, who the affected person is, the content and consequences of the publication, and how serious, long-lasting and frequent it is. The provisions would apply in line with Article 19 of the Constitution and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
It differs from a Justice Ministry bill presented about a year ago, which Phileleftheros reported drew criticism that it would gag journalists and restrict free expression.
SigmaLive reported that the committee is also expected to look at offences involving artificial intelligence, particularly manipulated audio and video, or deepfakes.
The status
A bill examined in committee is at an early stage. It can be amended or dropped, and it must go to the plenary for a vote before it becomes law. Kypri will follow it when it reaches the House floor.
Sources (3)
- Phileleftheros, Coordinated online attacks could carry five-year jail term under new bill, 4 November 2026
- Politis, Fotini Tsiridou Bill Targets Coordinated Online Attacks, 25 September 2026 . Sets out the bill's title, offences, penalties and free-expression safeguards.
- SigmaLive, Πρόταση νόμου για στοχευμένες αναρτήσεις στα social media, 4 November 2026 . Reports that the Legal Affairs Committee examined the proposal on 4 November.