Cyprus addresses hate speech regulations and appoints trusted flaggers

On October 19, 2026, the House Human Rights Committee in Cyprus convened to discuss the rise of online hate speech and the need for stricter legislative frameworks. A key outcome of the session was the announcement by the Radio-Television and Digital Services Authority that the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) and the Mediterranean Digital Media Observatory (MedDMO) have been designated as official 'trusted flaggers.' These bodies will now prioritize the reporting of hate speech content directly to social media companies.

During the discussions, experts, including Associate Professor of International Law Aristotelis Konstantinidis, highlighted a regulatory and legislative gap concerning user comments, particularly the distinction between individual accounts and media organization accounts. Committee Chairman Christos Christofidis emphasized the need for a systematic approach, announcing plans for a potential digital platform by the police to allow citizens to track the progress of their complaints. Participants also reached a consensus on the necessity of creating a dedicated observatory to monitor hate speech trends, aiming to align domestic practices with evolving European standards.