GPS, bedbugs and extortion in Crete – Privacy at risk

The recent case of bedbugs being found in the home of Giorgos Mazonakis has reopened the debate about privacy in Greece and how easily it can be violated. Crimelabfounder Manolis Sfakianakis, speaking on a radio show, stressed that today anyone can acquire monitoring devices for no more than 2-3 euros — less than a souvlaki.

The "popular market" of surveillance

Devices such as GPS trackers, micro-cameras and microphones are available on online platforms and in physical stores, without any particular restrictions. This means that surveillance has been demystified: it no longer requires access to specialized circuits or large sums of money, but only a few clicks and a few euros.

The worrying thing is that such devices can be placed everywhere — from cars and homes to children's toys and "gift" mobile phones. This ease turns personal differences, such as a divorce or a romantic rivalry, into potential cases of surveillance.

See also: New Spyware Vendor Report: Targets & Infection Chains

From curiosity to blackmail

According to Manolis Sfakianakis, most of the cases that reach his office concern people close to the victim — relatives, former partners or even colleagues. The goal is often to gather evidence for blackmail or to use information in legal disputes. Although courts do not always accept data obtained through wiretapping, the damage to privacy has already been done.

The picture becomes even more worrying when we consider how difficult it is to detect these devices. It requires special equipment that detects their emission frequencies, which only specialized companies have. This means that a person can be monitored for a long time without knowing it.

The psychological "bell"

One of the signs of surveillance, as Sfakianakis explains, is when people around us seem to know details they shouldn't. Small "pinch marks" or overly precise comments can be a sign that our personal conversations or movements are being recorded. This phenomenon creates a climate of suspicion, which is often just as destructive as the eavesdropping itself.

A phenomenon that also affects Crete

He revealed that he also receives complaints from Crete, which mainly concern personal disputes (divorces, romantic jealousies) and business cases that result in blackmail of businessmen or unfair competition.

See also: Iranian hackers distribute DCHSpy spyware via fake VPN apps

The legal and social framework

Although Greek law is clear about prohibiting wiretapping, the ease of access to such equipment creates a “gray zone.” The use of illegally obtained data is not always acceptable in courts, but in practice it can tip the balance in a court case or destroy professional and personal relationships.

A new "culture of surveillance"

The biggest issue is the normalization of surveillance. When bugs become so cheap and easy to use, a culture is created where privacy violations are almost “expected.” This phenomenon affects not only celebrities, but every citizen.

Society is called upon to find a balance between technological progress and the protection of fundamental rights. The discussion around privacy cannot be limited to political wiretapping scandals, but must also include the everyday lives of ordinary citizens, who are becoming increasingly vulnerable to technologies that were until yesterday considered "spying tools".

See also: Batavia spyware targets businesses in Russia

Surveillance is no longer the exclusive preserve of state agencies or organized crime. With equipment becoming inexpensive and widely available, privacy is threatened daily. The issue is not only technological, but deeply social and legal, requiring immediate awareness and a strong protection framework.

Listen to what Manolis Sfakianakis said on Radiome 88.4.