The independent Broadcasting Authority has recently assumed control and supervision of the internet in Cyprus with the implementation of the European Digital Services Act (DSA). Its goal is to create a safer and more responsible digital environment, focusing on the protection of minors and consumers, as well as addressing illegal and inappropriate content.
According to an interview with Politis, the Chair of the Board of the Broadcasting and Digital Services Authority, Rona Kasapi, the Authority’s new digital responsibilities centre on three main pillars:
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Protection of Minors: The Authority monitors video-sharing platforms and other online services to ensure measures are in place preventing minors from exposure to harmful content, such as violence, child pornography, and hate speech.
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Transparency and Legality: The Authority oversees compliance with online advertising rules, personal data protection, and the prevention of fake news and misinformation.
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Cooperation: The Authority collaborates with similar regulatory bodies abroad and European institutions to address common digital challenges jointly.
"The protection of minors has always been a top priority, and the new legal framework strengthens this comprehensively," Kasapi noted.
Entering a new era of oversight: What is the authority’s role?
The Broadcasting and Digital Services Authority now exercises an expanded but clearly defined role, responding to the modern challenges of audiovisual and digital environments. On one hand, it continues its established mandate in the broadcasting sector, supervising the content of television and radio organisations, ensuring licensing compliance, maintaining plurality, addressing citizen complaints, and enforcing ethical and legal standards.
On the other hand, under the Digital Services Act and national legislation, the Authority acts as the National Coordinator for Digital Services, actively participating in the European oversight network for the digital ecosystem.
In the digital space, the Authority’s role is primarily institutional and supervisory. It does not intervene in individual online content but ensures that digital services comply with obligations under EU law. This approach strengthens clarity, legal certainty, and equal operating conditions.
Strengthening protection of minors
Protecting minors remains a top priority and is reinforced under the new framework. The approach is now proactive, focusing on prevention, safety, and protection from the design stage of digital services. Platforms must:
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Integrate privacy and safety principles
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Offer simple and understandable terms of use
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Apply reliable age verification systems
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Provide safe default settings for minors
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Offer clear mechanisms for reporting content
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Provide tools for parents and guardians to help children stay safe while respecting their rights and independence
Additionally, there are clear limits on manipulative, aggressive, or misleading commercial practices, particularly regarding targeted advertising to minors. The Authority monitors whether these measures are applied effectively, are understandable, and respect both child protection and privacy, in line with EU guidelines.
Tools to combat illegal content
The current legal framework gives the Authority clear and binding tools. Digital platforms are required to have fast, user-friendly, and effective reporting mechanisms for illegal content. They must promptly review reports, provide feedback, allow appeals, and continuously improve content monitoring systems.
For illegal or inappropriate content affecting minors, platforms must implement age verification and parental control measures. Protecting children in the digital environment is not discretionary; it is a clear legal and social obligation.
Capacity for new responsibilities
The Authority has experience and institutional knowledge, forming a strong foundation. However, effective human resource management, especially at the executive level, remains a critical issue affecting operational performance. The appointment of a director is expected soon, which will help the Authority systematically address its expanded responsibilities and challenges.
Elections and oversight
Ahead of parliamentary elections, the Authority will exercise enhanced supervision over both broadcasting and digital platforms. The focus will be on transparency, fair representation, compliance with political communication rules, and obligations regarding political advertising and citizen information.
Under pending national legislation, the Authority is also expected to become responsible for enforcing the EU Regulation on Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising, already effective at EU level from 10 October 2025.
The regulation requires political advertisements to:
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Clearly display transparency markers
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Provide information on funding sources, expenditure, and relation to elections or referenda
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Disclose any targeting techniques used
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Be included in public registers of political advertising
The aim is to enhance transparency, protect democracy, freedom of expression, and information, and promote responsible use of personal data in political campaigns.
This article was originally published in the Politis daily newspaper.