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Testing of Interior Ministry Messages / Attention to Scammers – 'Greek' Characters Play a Role in Delay (VIDEO)

Published March 5, 2026, 15:00
Testing of Interior Ministry Messages / Attention to Scammers – 'Greek' Characters Play a Role in Delay (VIDEO)

The trial operation of the citizen warning system in Cyprus is under examination. Internet expert Dinos Pastos analyzed the technical problems observed, such as the delay in delivery due to dependence on each provider's network. He also emphasized that the use of Greek characters burdens the network, as they take up twice as much space as Latin or uppercase Greek characters, leading to message fragmentation. He compared the SMS system to the actual '112' (EU-Alert) system, which is much more reliable as it operates via cell broadcast and does not require an active subscription or device unlocking. He also warned of the possibility of scammers sending fake warning messages to steal personal data.