The Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou, responded to reports linking him to the operating permit of the Viollanta factory, stating that he worked as a freelance electrical engineer from 2000 to 2013 and that his most recent signature related to the specific factory dates back to 2011.

Speaking to ERT, he clarified that the signed permit concerned a section of a building constructed in two phases, as the business had expanded with changes to its facilities.

The minister refrained from further comment, noting that the case is currently under judicial investigation.

He added that he was shocked by the owner’s defense, said he understood the “direct hit” he received, but stressed that he does not accuse the owner personally.

Papastergiou also referred to upcoming institutional initiatives on artificial intelligence, the protection of democracy from disinformation, and the acceleration of critical digital projects.

Regarding an incident at a university where students used AI tools for assignments, he said the issue was also discussed at an international summit in India, with the aim of placing artificial intelligence “on a more human footing” and emphasizing the role of humans.

Asked about the potential role of AI in elections, he stressed that the problem goes beyond electoral processes and concerns the broader shaping of news coverage and the public sphere.

The minister said projects are moving forward through the Recovery and Resilience Facility to unify digital systems in hospitals, enabling centralized monitoring of procurement, staff, and expenditures. He also referred to the data cross-checking initiative at OPEKEPE, which uses cadastral data, links with AADE, satellite imagery, and AI for checks on crops and compensation.

He recalled that Greece was among the first countries to raise the issue of restricting minors’ use of social media, noting that the discussion is now advancing at the European level, and announced forthcoming updates on the regulatory framework.

On the “personal number,” he assured that the informational email sent to citizens does not imply the issuance of a new number, as it has already been assigned. From 2026, its gradual use as a single identifier for handling cases is planned, as part of efforts to simplify procedures and unify state registries.

Finally, on broadband connectivity, he highlighted the progress made: from just 0.6% fiber-optic penetration in 2019, today more than 60% of households and businesses have the technical ability to connect.