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Fuel Prices Surge In Cyprus: Implications For Consumers And Supply Chains

Rapid Price Increases Over Two Weeks

Fuel prices in Cyprus increased between February 27 and March 13, according to data from the Consumer Protection Service. The increases affected gasoline, diesel and heating oil. Brent crude oil prices also rose during the period, exceeding $100 per barrel.

Data Highlights And Economic Impact

Between February 27 and March 13, significant increases were recorded at the pumps, according to data from the Consumer Protection Service. The following table illustrates the changes across different fuel categories:

Fuel Type Price On 27/02 (€) Price On 13/03 (€) Increase (per liter)
Gasoline (95 Octane) 1.314 1.416 +0.102
Diesel 1.410 1.562 +0.152
Heating Oil 0.949 1.079 +0.130

Diesel recorded the largest increase, rising by more than €0.15 per liter. Gasoline (95 octane) increased by more than €0.10 per liter. Heating oil prices also increased during the period, rising by €0.13 per liter.

Historical Context And Comparative Analysis

The current pricing regime, while challenging, is still appreciably lower than the crisis levels seen three years ago. For example, before the government’s consumption tax adjustments on November 2, 2023, prices were markedly higher:

  • Gasoline (95 Octane): Priced at €1.55, which was 13.4 cents higher.
  • Diesel: Priced at €1.709, representing a 14.7 cent increase.
  • Heating Oil: Priced at €1.24, or 16.1 cents above previous levels.

Cyprus In The European Context

Analysis based on data from the European Commission for 2026 reveals a curious paradox: while final consumer prices in Cyprus are among the lowest in the European Union, this is largely due to lower tax rates. For instance:

  • Gasoline (95 Octane): Cyprus ranks as the second cheapest in the EU, with an average price of €1.320 compared to the EU average of €1.639.
  • Diesel: It is the fourth cheapest, at an average of €1.401 compared to €1.608 across the EU.

However, when taxes are removed from the equation, Cyprus’ import and wholesale fuel prices position the island in a more median range: the country ranks twelfth for gasoline at an average of €0.67 per liter and tenth for diesel at €0.767 per liter.

Looking Ahead

Fuel prices in Cyprus continue to reflect both international oil prices and domestic tax policy. The latest data provide an overview of recent changes in retail fuel prices across the country.

Passkeys Are The Gold Standard For Account Security. So Why Don’t More Major Apps Offer Them?

Passkeys are increasingly being promoted as one of the most effective ways to protect online accounts. By reducing reliance on passwords, they help prevent phishing attacks, simplify sign-ins and strengthen account security. Despite those advantages, however, many major digital platforms have yet to adopt the technology.

A Security Upgrade Still Missing At Scale

That gap is the focus of whynopasskeys.com, a new site created by security researcher Scott Helme to highlight companies that have not yet enabled passkeys for their users. The site tracks major consumer brands that continue to rely on older login methods even as passkeys become the industry standard.

Among the services still without passkey support are Instagram, Netflix and Spotify, according to the site’s data.

Why Passkeys Matter

Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are generated on a user’s device and linked both to that device and to a specific website or application. Authentication can be completed through biometrics such as Face ID or Touch ID, a hardware security key or a password manager.

Because users do not need to create or remember passwords, opportunities for credential theft, phishing attacks and password reuse are significantly reduced. In most cases, gaining access to an account would require direct access to the user’s device.

Public Accountability As A Pressure Tactic

In a blog post explaining the project, Helme said the goal is to create pressure by making the absence of passkey support visible. “A list is a surprisingly effective motivator. Nobody wants to be on the list,” he wrote.

That approach has already worked elsewhere in cybersecurity: when businesses are publicly compared against peers on basic protections, they often move faster to close the gap. In this case, the list is intended to push platforms to give users a stronger and simpler login option.

The Companies Moving Faster

Many large technology companies have already adopted passkeys, including Apple, Google and Microsoft, reflecting the technology’s growing role in account security.

Implementation, however, remains uneven. Instagram users can currently access passkeys only when their account is linked to a Facebook account that already has passkey support enabled, highlighting differences in adoption even within the same company.

The Bigger Business Question

Meta has not publicly explained why passkeys are available on some of its platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, but not fully across Instagram.

Debate within the industry is no longer centred on whether passkeys work, but on how quickly companies are willing to deploy them. As phishing, credential theft and account fraud remain persistent cybersecurity challenges, passkeys are increasingly being viewed not as an optional feature but as an emerging security standard.

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