A comment, post or private message can end in more than just an online argument. Threats, blackmail, fraudulent advertisements, publication of other people’s data or distribution of illegal content may result in liability. NM asked the police how such cases are investigated in Moldova, whether it is possible to identify the owner of an anonymous account, and where the line between an unpleasant comment and an offense lies.
Social networks are not a separate legal zone
In the legislation of Moldova, there is no separate universal liability specifically “for a comment” or “for a post” on a social network. It all depends on the content of the publication, message, image or link, as well as whether the user’s actions contain signs of an offense or crime. In some cases, publications on social networks may become the subject of a civil dispute.
The Constitution guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, but it also states that freedom of expression must not harm the honor, dignity and rights of others. Separately, the Constitution prohibits and provides for prosecution for incitement to national, racial or religious hatred, discrimination, territorial separatism and public violence.
Among the actions that may entail liability, the legislation provides for different categories of violations. Such cases may include threats, blackmail, fraud, distribution of illegal content, publication of personal data, invasion of privacy, violation of the privacy of correspondence, as well as calls for violence, hatred or discrimination.
What the police say
The General Inspectorate of Police responded to NM’s request that criminals are increasingly using social networks and mobile applications for illegal purposes. “These platforms allow you to quickly interact with a large number of users. (…) They are most often used to distribute illegal content and false information, as well as to commit various types of Internet fraud, including phishing, financial fraud and identity theft,” the police said.
According to law enforcement agencies, in 2023, 924 such cases were registered in Moldova. In 2024, the number rose to about 1,106, up 20% from the year before. The increase continued in 2025, with police recording about 1,757 incidents – 59% more than in 2024 and almost 90% more than in 2023.
“These figures indicate an increase in online crime and the need to strengthen prevention, user education and the fight against digital fraud. Therefore, it is important for users to exercise caution and observe digital security measures when using these services,” the General Inspectorate of Police emphasized.
Not every comment becomes action
Simply contacting the police because of a publication or comment does not mean that law enforcement will initiate administrative or criminal proceedings. The police told NM that they consider each registered complaint “in accordance with applicable legal standards”, analyzing the circumstances and the information provided.
If, after inspection, no signs of an offense or crime are found, consideration of the application is terminated, and the applicant is notified of the decision made.
Separately, the police noted that complaints about comments on social networks are received daily. They are submitted online – for example, through the portal cybercrime.mai.gov.md – or in person through the secretariat, attaching supporting materials.
How to find an account owner
One of the main questions is whether it is possible to identify a person if a comment or message was left from an anonymous or fake account, and the user himself denies that the profile belongs to him.
The police said that the ownership of an account to a specific person is established using technical and operational methods used in accordance with the law. This may include analyzing account data, examining publicly available information, and checking IP addresses and other connection data.
In addition, the police can compare online activity with other relevant information and request data from electronic service providers or platform administrators – under conditions provided by law. By technical methods, the police mean obtaining and analyzing account and user registration data, which may be officially requested from social platforms, including Meta/Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and others.
They may also use operational and investigative methods, including OSINT – open source analysis. We are talking about publicly accessible content: profiles, publications, comments and other information without restricted access.
If the account is fake or anonymous
The police reported that the lack of information about the author at the time of filing the complaint does not prevent the investigation and continuation of procedural actions to establish the circumstances of the case. In such cases, the circumstances of the case are studied and measures provided for by law are taken to identify the person responsible if there are signs of an offense or crime.
Depending on the circumstances of the case, the police may carry out other procedural or special investigative measures provided for by law. As the police clarified, identification is not limited to only requesting information from the platform used, but may include other investigative actions necessary to clarify the circumstances of the case and identify the person responsible.
What hinders investigations?
At the same time, the police admit that identifying the real user of an account is not always easy. This may be influenced by legal and practical restrictions: the regime for protecting personal data, the need for authorization of certain investigative measures, the periods of data retention by service providers, as well as the use of technical means that may make it difficult to identify the real user.
This is why the police consider standardized mechanisms for interaction with digital services important. In its response to NM, the agency cited as an example the European Digital Services Act, which obliges online platforms to designate contact points for authorities and provide cooperation mechanisms to combat illegal activity on the Internet.
According to the police, the introduction of such mechanisms could facilitate the exchange of information, reduce the time it takes to respond to legitimate requests and increase the efficiency of investigations into actions committed in the digital environment.
This has already been discussed before
In 2025, the Moldovan authorities proposed to consolidate the rules of interaction between the state and online platforms in a separate law on digital services. The document prepared by the Ministry of Economy would oblige platforms to create contact services to communicate with users, the National Agency for the Regulation of Electronic Communications and Information Technologies (ANRCETI) and competent authorities, and large foreign services to appoint a legal representative in Moldova.
The initiative also covered illegal content and advertising, transparency of recommendation algorithms, protection of minors and crisis response mechanisms. In April 2025, the document was submitted for consultation, and later the working group of the Business Regulatory Commission gave a negative opinion on it. You can read more about the project Here.
Another initiative concerns the receipt of electronic evidence from abroad. In June 2026, the government approved the draft ratification of the second additional protocol to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs prepared amendments to bring national legislation into line with its provisions. They provide, in particular, for the accelerated receipt of certain categories of data, electronic transmission and urgent execution of requests, as well as the use of 24-hour contact points. More details in the material “Moldova declares war on telephone scammers“
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