The new identity cards that the Greek government has planned to introduce this month have been particularly unpopular with some citizens. They believed conspiracy theories that the government introduced them to spy on or eavesdrop on citizens.
Greeks protest against new ID cards. Because of conspiracy theories
As in Thessaloniki in the north of the country, about 5,000 people took to the streets on Sunday. opponents of new identity documents. Initially, they gathered at the White Tower, which is one of the greatest monuments of the city. They held Greek flags in their hands, chanted slogans and sang the national anthem. They also played a recording of a speech by Christodulos, the former head of the Greek Orthodox Church, who warned against the enemies of the Greek people.
The protesters then marched through the center of Thessaloniki and dispersed without any unpleasant incidents. However, it was yet another and one of many protests planned in Greece (the next one is to take place on Sunday in Athens) against the new ID cards, which – according to the government’s plans – will be handed over to the first citizens at the end of September. Protesters believe that their introduction will allow the authorities to spy on citizens on a large scale.
New evidence with an electronic layer. The government wants to speed up procedures in offices
The new documents are essentially no different from the previous ones. The ID cards still contain the same information about the holder – name, parents’ names, address and height. Only information about the blood group has been added, but its provision is completely voluntary. However, the new identity documents contain an additional electronic layer that allows for quick identity verification in offices, thanks to which the new documents will become compliant with the EU-wide standard.
New ID cards in Greece photo by gov.gr
The assumption is that the digital layer is to speed up and facilitate all procedures in offices, because it will enable digital confirmation of a citizen’s identity. However, this detail does not please the protesting Greeks. Conspiracy theories that have appeared on the web say that the electronic layer would be responsible for transmitting the location of the document holder in real time, eavesdropping on him, and even – according to the most extreme theories – controlling his mind.
Even the Greek Church reacted. He has to present his position
As the AP writes, the vast majority of opponents of the new evidence are deeply religious. What’s more, some clergy of the Greek Church encourage protests, while others maintain a rather subdued stance. Its current head, Hieronim II, advised the faithful to “reason and prudence” and stated that the Church would present its position on the new evidence within a few days.
The Greek government reassures and explains that the new documents do not contain tracking chips, cameras and listening devices. Nor is he going to back down from the idea. Greeks will have three years to exchange their documents for new ones.
Source: Gazeta
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