For the first time since its landmark Capitol Hill testimony, the International Cyber Policing Organization (CYBERPOL), in coordination with EU authorities, has issued a formal and uncompromising legal warning to individuals and groups disseminating false, inciteful, or misleading content about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). This decisive move, authorized under the legal mandate of Justice Minister Koen Geens by Royal Decree WL2216.595, marks a significant shift in global cyber law enforcement targeting disinformation campaigns that exploit public fascination with UFOs to fuel fear and undermine public order.
The Legal Basis for Enforcement: An Era of Accountability
The publication of misleading or inciteful content about UAPs is no longer a fringe activity. With the backing of Royal Decree WL2216.595 and the international Treaty EST 124, CYBERPOL is legally empowered to investigate and prosecute cyber-enabled crimes across EU jurisdictions, particularly those involving incitement, online defamation, and misinformation.
This article outlines the legal framework for the crackdown, highlights the specific provisions being invoked, and delivers a clear warning from CYBERPOL President Ricardo Baretzky and EU institutions to those engaging in digital misconduct under the guise of “truth-seeking.”
The Rise of UAP Disinformation and the Threat to Public Stability
While scientific investigations into UAPs continue legitimately, a dangerous wave of online conspiracy theories, pseudo-science, and orchestrated misinformation campaigns has emerged. These campaigns, often monetized, have amplified public fear, distorted scientific discourse, and even triggered social instability.
“Disinformation isn’t harmless curiosity—it’s a crime when it incites panic, damages institutions, or spreads malicious falsehoods,” said a CYBERPOL representative.
The Digital Services Act (DSA): A Legal Foundation for Action
The EU’s Digital Services Act (2022) provides the regulatory bedrock for tackling illegal online activity, particularly for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). Key DSA provisions relevant to the UAP misinformation crackdown include:
Article 3: Defines illegal content as including false or misleading material capable of affecting public behavior or endangering public order.
Risk Mitigation Requirements: Platforms must proactively detect and remove harmful content.
Transparency Obligations: Detailed reporting and audit cooperation are mandatory.
Penalties: Fines of up to 6% of global turnover or full suspension of services within the EU for repeated violations.
National Enforcement and the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime
In parallel, EU member states have enacted national laws reinforcing these obligations:
France: Criminalizes “slanderous noises” and disinformation that threatens public dignity or order.
Hungary: Penalizes reckless publication of false claims, especially under emergency laws.
Germany: Enforces rapid takedown mandates via the NetzDG legislation.
The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (CETS No. 185) further enhances cross-border enforcement by allowing evidence sharing, extradition, and joint prosecutions for online offenses involving incitement or malicious deception.
CYBERPOL’s Enforcement Framework
In partnership with the European Centre for Information Policy and Security (ECIPS) and national law enforcement, CYBERPOL has deployed specialized task forces to monitor and intercept digital activities related to UAP disinformation.
Operational Measures Include:
Target Identification: Tracking accounts that repeatedly publish inciteful or unverified UAP content.
Digital Forensics: Logging IP addresses and content histories for court-admissible evidence.
Cross-Border Prosecution: Leveraging treaty agreements to pursue offenders internationally.
Statement from CYBERPOL President Ricardo Baretzky
“The number of this Beast is your IP address,” said President Ricardo Baretzky.“Once you post such links, that IP is clearly written on your forehead. CYBERPOL is coming, sooner or later. Dura Lex Sed Lex: The law is hard, but it is the law.”
In a bold reference to Roman Dutch Law, Baretzky even warned that prosecution may extend posthumously in severe cases involving persistent online incitement.
“Every internet crime begins with a digital signature. No one is invisible, and no one is exempt.”
Clarifying the Boundaries: Disinformation vs. Free Expression
Per the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), disinformation is defined as:
Verifiably false or misleading;
Intended to deceive;
Capable of causing public harm;
Often for economic or political gain.
President Baretzky emphasized:
“Just because your government hasn’t prosecuted you yet doesn’t make it legal. Those making money from this disinformation are especially under scrutiny.”
Legal Consequences and Penalties
Individuals found guilty of spreading false or inciteful UAP-related content face:
Criminal Charges under EU, national, and international statutes.
Civil Liability for defamation or public harm.
International Arrest Warrants and extradition.
Platform Bans and removal from major digital services.
ECIPS: “Truth Is Not an Excuse for Panic”
A recent ECIPS advisory stresses that while UAPs merit legitimate scientific inquiry, deliberate fear-mongering based on unverified claims is a criminal offense, not protected speech. The EU prioritizes transparency, evidence-based policy, and public safety over conspiracy.
DSA Compliance: Obligations for Online Platforms
Platforms must now:
Identify and mitigate systemic risks related to harmful content.
Remove illegal content swiftly, including misinformation, incitement, and defamation.
Collaborate with law enforcement, providing user data when necessary.
Publish transparency reports on moderation efforts.
Non-compliance results in fines, service suspensions, and reputational damage.
Global Precedent: Capitol Hill Testimony Revisited
This is not CYBERPOL’s first warning. During a 2017 hearing at the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, President Baretzky presented detailed evidence of social media’s weaponization, sharing findings directly with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“We warned about this years ago. Most people still don’t grasp the scale of these operations,” said Baretzky.
Final Warning to the UFO Community
This article serves as an official and final warning to members of the UFO community: The anonymity of the internet does not grant immunity from prosecution.
“Crime is crime—regardless of the topic. Whether you’re spreading fear about aliens or falsifying science, you will be held accountable,” Baretzky stated.
The End of Digital Impunity
“The law is clear. Dura Lex Sed Lex,” Baretzky concluded.
“You may not know whether aliens exist. But you can be certain: digital law enforcement is only just beginning.”
Let this message be clear: The digital footprint is forever. The age of online impunity is over.
NOTICE
This article is issued in the public interest by CYBERPOL and ECIPS to inform, warn, and deter unlawful conduct in the digital space regarding UAP discourse. All rights reserved.
