Significant gaps and practical limitations in dealing with threats, abusive attacks and hate speech from anonymous social media accounts were highlighted during Monday’s meeting of the House Human Rights Committee.
The discussion indicated that Cypriot authorities face considerable obstacles when attempting to identify individuals behind anonymous profiles, particularly when information must be obtained from social media companies based overseas.
Police depend on platforms for IP data
A Police representative explained that when a threat is reported and investigators need to obtain an IP address, the process requires cooperation from the company operating the relevant platform.
Many of those companies are based in the United States, meaning that obtaining the necessary information can involve lengthy procedures.
Asked by MPs whether Police have another technical tool allowing them to identify a user without assistance from the platform, the representative said they do not.
Police can preserve available evidence, take the procedures open to them and request that content be removed or accounts closed.
However, the final decision on removing content or shutting down an account rests with the platform itself.
The committee heard that there have been cases in which companies have declined to close accounts, citing considerations including freedom of expression.
Police rejected suggestions that the difficulties reflected a lack of expertise, pointing out that officers participate in operations and cooperation with Europol and Interpol.
It was also noted that Police cannot continuously monitor the entirety of the internet.
MPs recount threats and abuse
The scale of the problem was also illustrated through personal accounts from MPs.
Committee chairman Christos Christofides said he had blocked hundreds of accounts because of insults and threats.
Among the comments he cited was one saying, “what you need is a .45”.
Christofides also alleged organised activity by what he described as an “army of accounts”, which he said are activated to attack political opponents.
ELAM MP Andreas Papacharalambous said that while serving as mayor of Strovolos, a social media account had been created with the sole purpose, according to him, of targeting him.
Comment targeting Fidias Panayiotou raised in committee
Particular discussion surrounded a comment posted beneath a video of Direct Democracy leader Fidias Panayiotou, which MP Diana Constantinidou presented during the committee meeting.
The comment encouraged Panayiotou to take his own life, while the message had received 24 likes.
Asked whether Police had initiated an investigation into that particular case on their own initiative, a representative said the incident “had not come to our attention”.
Police nevertheless clarified that there have been other cases in which officers have independently contacted political figures and asked them to provide statements.
Legal limits of hate speech
The committee also discussed where the legal boundaries of hate speech lie.
A representative of the Cyprus Bar Association noted that an extreme attack directed against a politician does not necessarily fall within the narrow legal definition of hate speech.
Depending on the circumstances, however, it could raise other criminal or legal issues.
Despite the limitations identified during the discussion, Police and the Justice Ministry said mechanisms are already in place for handling such cases.
Liaison officers appointed in each district
Two liaison officers have been designated in every district to handle cases involving issues including racism and hate speech.
A specialised office also operates to provide training to police officers in handling such incidents.
Police stressed that they may launch investigations on their own initiative when potentially criminal incidents come to their attention.
The committee discussion nevertheless highlighted the difficulties confronting investigators when alleged threats originate from anonymous profiles, particularly where identifying information is controlled by technology companies based outside Cyprus.
