How the Hellenic Police is addressing information manipulation and supporting EU resilience efforts
March 2025
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) is no longer a hypothetical threat – it’s a lived reality for EU institutions, national governments, and the public. As an actor positioned between security and society, the Hellenic Police (HP) has observed first-hand how FIMI strategies can affect national cohesion, particularly during moments of political sensitivity or crisis.
The New Face of Influence Operations
In recent years, Greece – like many EU member states – has seen the rise of sophisticated influence operations combining disinformation, coordinated online behavior, and hybrid tactics. These campaigns often target public confidence, exploit social divisions, and seek to weaken institutional legitimacy.
While many of these efforts are subtle and non-violent, they are no less dangerous. The strategic aim is often to sow confusion, polarize citizens, and erode trust in democratic processes. Such threats become especially acute during elections, geopolitical flashpoints, or high-profile judicial or legislative decisions.
Police Forces on the Frontline
For national police forces, this presents a dual challenge:
- Understanding the nature of FIMI – how it operates, evolves, and spreads.
- Responding effectively – within a legal and ethical framework that respects civil liberties.
The Hellenic Police has increasingly engaged in inter-agency and EU-level cooperation to confront this challenge. Through initiatives such as the RESONANT project, we participate in the mapping of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and explore the potential use of detection tools to support early identification of harmful narratives.
Our collaboration with cybersecurity experts, judicial authorities, and international partners aims to strengthen both our technical capacity and our strategic insight.
The Need for Tools and Training
Effective detection requires not just technology, but also training and coordination. Police officers and analysts need to be equipped to recognize the signals of coordinated manipulation—whether through bots, fake accounts, or orchestrated disinformation campaigns.
Within the RESONANT framework, we are also contributing to the evaluation of practical tools for TTP detection and are closely following research that seeks to define actionable use cases for law enforcement.
Upholding Rights While Enhancing Security
It is crucial that responses to FIMI do not unintentionally undermine the very democratic principles we aim to protect. As law enforcement, we must balance vigilance with restraint, and ensure transparency and accountability in all actions taken.
In this regard, national police forces can serve not only as protectors but also as mediators between security imperatives and societal values.
Why Cooperation Matters
Addressing FIMI is not a task that any single agency or country can tackle alone. Its cross-border nature and digital speed demand collective awareness, aligned strategies, and shared tools.
The Hellenic Police remains committed to this cooperative effort. Through RESONANT, we are strengthening our understanding of FIMI operations and enhancing the EU’s collective resilience. We believe this project provides a vital platform to share experiences, develop common approaches, and safeguard the democratic fabric of Europe.
Organisation / name: Hellenic Police (HP)