Faced with an unprecedented increase in the number of complaints is the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, which operates with a limited number of specialized scientists.
According to the data released by the Authority, during the eight-month period January - August, 2,611 complaints were submitted, compared with 1,227 in the corresponding period of 2025. This is a 113% increase within one year, while compared with 2022 the number of complaints has increased by 199%.
The surge in the number of cases has direct consequences also for the time required for their examination. The Authority points out that it has a limited number of specialized scientists and that the processing time depends on the complexity of each case, with the result that in several cases many months or even a longer period of time are required.
At the same time, procedures to strengthen the staff are underway. However, according to the Authority itself, “given the particularly increased number of new complaints, the increased complexity, as well as the backlog of cases from previous years, it is practically impossible to complete all cases within a short period of time.”
As it says in its announcement, the time required for the examination of each case depends on its particular circumstances, its complexity, and the required investigative actions. “In some cases, the examination of a case may require several months or, depending on its nature, an even longer period of time. The situation is expected to improve gradually after the completion of the recruitment process for the additional staff, for which relevant positions have already been approved since 2025.”, it notes.
Particular reference is made to the use of artificial intelligence applications by citizens for drafting complaints. This practice, however, does not necessarily lead to better or more substantiated requests.
As the Authority points out, a significant increase has been observed in the use of artificial intelligence applications for drafting complaints. “These tools may be useful, especially for organizing and formulating a text. However, when the generated content is lengthy or includes inaccurate information, legal arguments of questionable validity, or cases of “artificial intelligence hallucinations” (AI hallucinations), it may significantly hinder the assessment and investigation of the complaint, with the risk even that its main subject may be “lost” or that an attempt is made to resolve all of a citizen’s issues through invocation of the legislation on the processing of personal data, even in cases where more specific legislation exists,” it notes.