Policy Observatory

The “Bundestag” passed a law for enhancing video surveillance in public places such as stadiums, night clubs or shopping centres for the purpose of public security and for preventing terrorist attacks. Therefore, the law aims at enhancing the public-private partnership by lowering the safeguards for video surveillance in locations which belong to private institutions. To this extent, DPAs should give the security interests (i.e. the protection of people’s life, health and freedom) more weight compared to the privacy rights of citizens.

The Landtag in Baden-Württemberg was debating a draft anti-terror law which, inter alia, includes additional options to use video surveillance, lawful hacking and electronic tags for persons likely to threaten public security, making it one of the most restrictive anti-terror laws in Germany. The draft law was being criticized by the DPO of Baden-Württemberg: In particular, it remains unclear whether any of these measures would have an actual impact. Therefore, an evaluation clause should be included in the draft law.