Policy Observatory

On 5 September 2017, the Grand Chamber of the European Court for Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled on the Bărbulescu v. Romania case. It found that there was a breach of the right to family life and correspondence (Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights), as claimed by Mr Bărbulescu.

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.