Cyprus Times

“The Delay is Not From Us.” Next Steps of the Commissioner After Pheidi’s Refusal to Download the App

Published February 25, 2026, 17:07
“The Delay is Not From Us.” Next Steps of the Commissioner After Pheidi’s Refusal to Download the App

The Commissioner for the Protection of Personal Data, Maria Christofidou, is expected to decide within the week on the next steps after the non-compliance of MEP Pheidi Panagiotou to temporarily suspend the operation of the “Agora” platform. The Commissioner stated that non-compliance is a legal obligation and categorically denied the MEP’s references to political motives. The Commissioner explained that a letter had been sent for the temporary suspension of the platform’s operation, however, an Impact Assessment had been requested since October 2025, a process that Mr. Panagiotou should have initiated himself as other parties had done. The impact assessment requires consultation and the Commissioner stated that eight weeks are needed to respond, however, the problem is Mr. Panagiotou’s non-compliance. Mr. Panagiotou had received advice from the European Parliament’s Data Protection Authority, however, the Commissioner pointed out that as an MEP he should have known that platforms processing sensitive data on a large scale can only operate after the completion of consultation and a positive opinion from the supervisory authority. The Commissioner emphasized that the delay is not due to the Commissioner, but to Mr. Panagiotou himself, who was late in submitting the impact assessment and complying with the instructions.

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