Best Cyber Law, Data Privacy and Data Protection Lawyers in Thivais

About Cyber Law, Data Privacy and Data Protection Law in Thivais, Greece

Cyber law in Thivais, Greece covers how people, businesses, and public bodies use computers, networks, and the internet. It includes rules on unlawful access and cybercrime, obligations to keep systems secure, and the handling of electronic evidence. Data privacy and data protection focus on how personal data is collected, used, shared, and secured. Because Greece is a member of the European Union, the EU General Data Protection Regulation applies directly, and Greek laws supplement it. Enforcement and guidance are led nationally by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, and cybersecurity oversight is coordinated by the National Cyber Security Authority and other competent bodies. Local organizations in Thivais must comply with these national and EU rules when they process personal data or provide digital services, regardless of their size.

In practice, this framework sets clear principles for lawful processing, transparency, security by design, and accountability. Individuals have rights to access, correct, delete, and port their personal data, and to object to certain processing. Organizations must identify a lawful basis, implement security measures, manage vendors with appropriate contracts, document processing activities, and in many cases notify authorities and individuals if a data breach occurs. Sector rules for telecoms, health, finance, education, and critical infrastructure may add extra cybersecurity and incident reporting duties.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Cyber law and data protection issues arise quickly and often in stressful circumstances. You may need a lawyer if your business in Thivais experiences a data breach or ransomware attack and you must coordinate technical response, preserve evidence, manage notifications within short deadlines, and communicate with regulators, customers, and partners. Legal counsel can help minimize liability, protect privilege, and negotiate with threat actors through qualified incident response partners if appropriate.

Legal advice is also important when setting up or reviewing websites, apps, or online stores to ensure cookie banners, privacy notices, and consent flows comply with Greek e-privacy and GDPR rules. If you use marketing by email, SMS, or phone, a lawyer can help design compliant consent and opt-out practices. For employers, counsel can guide lawful employee monitoring, CCTV, BYOD, remote work security, and handling employee access requests. When working with cloud and other vendors, lawyers draft and negotiate data processing agreements, cross-border transfer safeguards, and security addenda.

Individuals seek help when they are victims of hacking, online fraud, doxxing, harassment, defamation, or identity theft, or when platforms refuse to remove illegal content. A lawyer can assist with criminal complaints, civil claims, takedown requests, and preservation of digital evidence. Regulated and high-risk organizations, such as healthcare providers, financial services, energy, and transport operators, may need counsel to comply with network and information security duties and to prepare for audits and inspections.

Local Laws Overview

EU General Data Protection Regulation GDPR 2016-679. This is the core data protection law across the EU. It sets principles like lawfulness, fairness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity and confidentiality, and accountability. It grants individuals rights and imposes obligations such as security measures, impact assessments for high-risk processing, data protection by design and by default, and breach notification to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority within 72 hours unless the breach is unlikely to result in risk to individuals.

Greek Law 4624-2019. This law supplements the GDPR in Greece. It clarifies the powers of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, provides rules for processing by public bodies, and sets certain national choices under the GDPR, including conditions for processing special categories of data and for criminal conviction data. It also includes rules concerning the appointment and role of Data Protection Officers in the public sector and where otherwise required by the GDPR. In Greece, the digital consent age for information society services is 15, meaning parental consent is required for younger children.

Greek Law 3471-2006 on electronic communications privacy e-privacy. This law implements the EU e-privacy directive and governs the confidentiality of communications, traffic and location data, cookies and similar tracking technologies, and direct marketing by electronic means. In practice, most cookies and trackers require prior consent except for those strictly necessary for the service. Electronic marketing typically requires prior consent, with limited exceptions such as soft opt-in to existing customers, and there are rules on opt-outs and identification of the sender.

NIS framework. Greece has implemented the EU Network and Information Security regime, which imposes cybersecurity and incident reporting duties on operators of essential services and certain digital service providers. Competent authorities and national cybersecurity teams coordinate incident handling and oversight. The EU has adopted NIS2 with expanded scope and stricter measures. Organizations in critical sectors should monitor Greek transposition and be ready to comply with governance, risk management, and reporting requirements.

Cybercrime and criminal procedure. Unlawful access to systems, illegal interception, data or system interference, misuse of devices, computer-related fraud, distribution of child sexual abuse material, stalking, and online threats are criminal offenses under Greek law. Greece is a party to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, which harmonizes offenses and promotes international cooperation. The Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division investigates cyber offenses and coordinates with prosecutors. Digital evidence handling follows Greek criminal procedure rules and relevant guidance.

Sector and thematic rules. Telecom and electronic communications providers are subject to confidentiality and security obligations supervised in part by the Authority for Communication Security and Privacy ADAE, including breach reporting duties. Financial, health, and critical infrastructure operators face additional information security, continuity, and incident reporting requirements under sector laws and supervisory guidance. Public sector and emerging technologies, including cloud adoption and innovative digital services, are covered by newer Greek legislation that sets governance and security baselines.

International data transfers. Transfers of personal data from Greece to countries outside the EU-EEA require safeguards such as adequacy decisions, standard contractual clauses, binding corporate rules, or other GDPR mechanisms. Organizations must assess foreign laws that may affect the effectiveness of safeguards and implement supplementary measures where needed. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides an adequacy route for participating US organizations, subject to eligibility and enrollment.

Local practice in Thivais. Businesses and public bodies in Thivais must comply with national and EU rules, just like entities in Athens or Thessaloniki. Complaints, breach notifications, and regulatory inquiries are handled by the national authorities. Local counsel in Thivais can represent you before the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, criminal prosecutors, civil courts, and administrative courts as needed, and can coordinate with technical experts during incidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as personal data under Greek law

Personal data is any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. This includes obvious items like names, emails, phone numbers, IDs, and photos, as well as online identifiers like IP addresses and cookie IDs if they can be linked to a person. Special categories include health, biometric, genetic, racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation, which require stricter handling.

Do I need consent for cookies on my website

Yes for most cookies and similar tracking technologies. Under Greek e-privacy rules, prior consent is required before setting non-essential cookies, such as analytics, advertising, and social media trackers. Strictly necessary cookies used to provide the service requested by the user typically do not require consent. You should provide a clear banner, granular choices, and an easy way to withdraw consent.

When must I report a data breach

Under the GDPR you must notify the Hellenic Data Protection Authority without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours after becoming aware of a personal data breach, unless it is unlikely to result in risk to individuals. If the breach is likely to result in high risk, you must also inform affected individuals without undue delay. Telecom and other regulated sectors may have additional reporting paths and deadlines to other authorities.

Do I need a Data Protection Officer DPO

You must appoint a DPO if your organization is a public authority or body, if your core activities involve regular and systematic monitoring of individuals on a large scale, or if you process special categories of data on a large scale. Even if not strictly required, appointing a DPO or privacy lead can help manage compliance and demonstrate accountability.

Can I use cloud providers outside the EU

Yes, but you need a valid transfer mechanism and appropriate safeguards. Common tools are EU standard contractual clauses combined with a transfer impact assessment and supplementary measures where needed. If the provider participates in an adequacy framework recognized by the EU, that can simplify transfers for covered services. You remain responsible for ensuring the level of protection is essentially equivalent to that in the EU.

What are the penalties for non-compliance

The GDPR allows administrative fines up to 20 million euros or 4 percent of global annual turnover, whichever is higher, depending on the violation. The Hellenic Data Protection Authority can also issue warnings, reprimands, orders to comply, and temporary or definitive processing bans. Sector regulators and criminal courts may impose separate sanctions for cybersecurity and cybercrime violations.

Are employee monitoring and workplace CCTV allowed

They are permitted only under strict conditions. Employers must have a legitimate purpose, use proportionate and transparent measures, inform employees clearly, limit retention, and respect employees rights. Continuous or covert monitoring is generally prohibited except in very narrow circumstances permitted by law. The Hellenic Data Protection Authority has issued guidance and decisions on CCTV and workplace monitoring that organizations in Thivais should follow.

How should I handle a subject access request

You must verify the requester, search for their personal data, and provide a copy along with information about processing within one month, extendable by two months for complex requests. You should redact third-party data where appropriate and document your handling. Fees are generally not allowed unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive.

What should I include in my privacy notice

Explain who you are, what data you collect, for what purposes and legal bases, who you share data with, retention periods, international transfers, security measures in general terms, and the rights of individuals and how to exercise them. Include contact details for your organization and DPO if you have one, and the right to lodge a complaint with the Hellenic Data Protection Authority.

Who investigates cybercrimes in Greece

The Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division investigates cyber offenses, working with prosecutors and courts. Depending on the case, other authorities like the National Cyber Security Authority or sector regulators may be involved, especially for incidents affecting essential services. If you are a victim in Thivais, you can file a complaint with the local police or prosecutor, and your lawyer can coordinate with the specialized cybercrime units.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Data Protection Authority HDPA. The national supervisory authority for data protection. Provides guidance, handles complaints, conducts investigations, and imposes sanctions where necessary.

Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division. Specialized police unit for cybercrime prevention, investigation, and public awareness. Assists victims of online fraud, hacking, extortion, and related offenses.

National Cyber Security Authority NCSA. Coordinates national cybersecurity policy, incident response frameworks, and oversight of operators subject to network and information security obligations. Works with national and sectoral CSIRTs.

Greek Computer Security Incident Response Team CERT-GR. National incident response team that publishes alerts, advisories, and best practices, and can coordinate technical response during major incidents.

Authority for Communication Security and Privacy ADAE. Independent authority overseeing the confidentiality and security of communications and certain breach reporting obligations in the telecom sector.

Ministry of Digital Governance. Responsible for digital policy and public sector digital transformation, including national strategies that affect cybersecurity and data governance.

European Data Protection Board EDPB. Issues EU-wide guidance that the Hellenic Data Protection Authority follows, providing authoritative interpretations of GDPR concepts and requirements.

Hellenic Consumers Ombudsman. Independent authority that can assist consumers with disputes related to e-commerce practices, unfair terms, and certain digital services issues connected to privacy and marketing.

Next Steps

Identify your goals and risks. Clarify whether you need urgent incident response, compliance program design, contract reviews, platform and website compliance, employee data issues, or representation in a regulatory inquiry or lawsuit. Write down key facts, systems involved, timelines, and any deadlines such as the 72-hour breach notification window.

Preserve evidence and stabilize. For incidents, avoid altering affected systems unnecessarily. Engage qualified forensic support through or alongside your lawyer to maintain legal privilege, collect logs, and contain threats. Document actions taken and decisions made.

Assess legal obligations. Map the personal data involved, identify your roles controller or processor, determine lawful bases, and evaluate whether notifications to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, individuals, business partners, or other authorities are required. Consider sector-specific rules that may apply to your organization in Thivais.

Engage a lawyer experienced in cyber law and data protection. Local counsel can coordinate with technical teams, communicate with authorities, handle negotiations with vendors or adversaries, and prepare the documentation regulators expect, such as incident reports, data protection impact assessments, records of processing, and updated policies.

Improve resilience. After immediate issues are addressed, update security measures, vendor contracts, and governance. Implement or refine training, incident response plans, access controls, vulnerability management, backup and recovery, and testing. Ensure your cookie banner, privacy notice, and marketing practices align with Greek and EU requirements.

Follow up and monitor. Track remediation, retain relevant records, and plan periodic reviews. Keep an eye on legal developments such as NIS2 implementation and new guidance from the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and the European Data Protection Board, and adjust your program accordingly.