A ticket is no longer only a ticket

Electronic ferry ticketing can reveal much more than a route and a seat. Travel patterns, companions, timing and even pet-related information may become part of a wider data profile when systems are designed without tight limits.

Why the authority reacted

The Greek article centers on Opinion 5/2026 of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, which calls for clearer purposes, reduced data collection and closer review of retention periods. The point is data minimisation in a transport system with public importance.

Retention, responsibility and safeguards

The five-year retention question is treated as a key pressure point. The overview highlights the need for a serious legal framework that defines who collects the data, who answers for failures, how long records remain and how passengers' rights are protected.