GREECE Law and Practice Contributed by: Nikos Nikolinakos, Dina Kouvelou and Alexis Spyropoulos, Nikolinakos & Partners Law Firm
Resolution of Consumer Complaints in the Digital Economy Apart from a potential litigation process or the successful resolution of the issue through com - munication between the consumer and the sell - er, pursuant to the provisions of Joint Ministerial Decision 70330/9.7.2015, alternative consumer dispute resolution is a method of out-of-court dispute resolution in the digital economy. A neu - tral third party – the dispute resolution body (eg, the Greek Consumers' Ombudsman) – helps parties find an out-of-court solution on consum - er complaints. For disputes with a seller estab - lished within the EU or the UK, online dispute resolution under the provisions of Regulation 524/2013 is also provided, with the European Consumer Centre of Greece being the relevant contact point. 1.5 The Role of Blockchain in the Digital Economy In Greece, the use of cryptocurrency in the TMT sector is limited, but its impact is expected to grow as cryptocurrencies and blockchain offer new possibilities for payments and secure data exchanges. In the media sector, blockchain could enable new financing models for journal - ism, but also raises concerns over copyright and transaction legality. However, challenges such as the lack of regulatory frameworks, non-rec - ognition of cryptocurrencies as legal tender, and issues of user security hinder broader adoption. Blockchain presents both opportunities and challenges in areas like data protection, IP, consumer protection and civil law. Legal dif - ficulties arise from blockchain’s decentralised nature, which complicates compliance with the GDPR, IP protection and consumer rights enforcement. Smart contracts and borderless transactions create jurisdictional issues, while the risk of money laundering and terrorist financ -
ing prompts regulatory efforts, including the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive. Despite the regulatory gaps, blockchain offers significant potential for innovation, including potential for improving data security, IP manage - ment and fraud reduction, and for automating legal processes via smart contracts. Recent laws, such as Law 4961/2022 and Law 5113/2024, define blockchain and distribut - ed ledger technology, establishing provisions for their use in Greece. The AML Law (Law 4557/2018) defines virtual currencies and sets regulations for service providers. In addition, the EU’s MiCA Regulation introduces stricter rules for crypto-assets, including investor protection and transparency requirements. 2. Cloud and Edge Computing 2.1 Highly Regulated Industries and Data Protection Law 4727/2020 defines cloud computing as a flexible service model providing shared resourc - es based on user needs. It identifies three cloud models: • Public, which is available to any customer, and managed by the provider; • Private, which is exclusively for one organisa - tion, and is managed in-house or by a third party; and • Hybrid, which combines multiple models, ensuring interoperability. The Ministry of Digital Governance oversees cloud adoption in the public sector, including creating a digital marketplace for cloud services.
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