As Greece approaches the August 2026 EU deadline for replacing old identity cards with the new biometric ID-1 format, public debate has been accompanied by a wave of misleading claims and conspiracy-driven narratives concerning the new identity system, disseminated by both individual citizens and political actors.
Within the MedDMO framework, this report analyses how these claims have evolved in recent years, from 2023 – when the new biometric ID-1 format was introduced – to early 2026, drawing on fact-checking material from four Greek fact-checking organisations.
The issue is particularly relevant in the Greek context, as anxieties surrounding identity cards are not new. Similar concerns have been present since the early 2000s, often intersecting with broader debates about privacy and national identity. Against this backdrop, the report situates the current controversy within its wider historical context, while focusing on the development and spread of misleading claims related to the new identity cards.
The findings show that most narratives circulating since 2023 stem from misinterpretations of legal provisions, misunderstandings of the cards’ technical features, and broader concerns around privacy and surveillance. Social media, particularly Facebook, emerged as the primary channel of dissemination, while political actors, mainly from conservative circles, contributed to the visibility and legitimisation of these claims.
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