Government seeks to enhance safety for those in long-term relationships against attacks.
In the future, individuals whose actions draw them the attention of violent individuals or organizations will receive increased security measures. This is meant to keep their residential addresses from being monitored.
Individuals with controversial volunteer work, political affiliations, or professions, such as police officers, will have greater protection of their personal information. Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, discussed these changes in Berlin, stating that they will make it more difficult for simple information from the population register to be accessed. The Bundestag and Bundesrat will need to approve these plans.
In addition to these changes, members of the Bundestag, European Parliament, state parliaments, and local officials will be able to request an information block more easily, citing their positions. Additionally, a temporary information block can now be established while a threat is investigated.
At the moment, authorities can provide the surname, first name, and address of a wanted person in response to a simple request for register information. However, it is up to the discretion of the authority whether or not they provide this information.
Faeser believes it is unacceptable for those dedicated to society to be subjected to "intimidation right at their front door." She remembered the "disturbing torchlight marches" experienced by Saxony's Health Minister, Petra Köpping. In 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, around 30 people gathered in front of the SPD politician's home, shouting loudly with torches and signs.
"A threat to our democracy"
Faeser highlighted the serious danger to our democracy that arises when people who support the political system choose to withdraw from society or become inactive due to threats. These attacks are intended to silence those vocal in their political stances. "This is yet another reason for us to counteract these threats," she emphasized.
People who become the focus of violent individuals or groups, especially in local politics due to their professional or volunteer work, will be given a four-year data retention period instead of two. Furthermore, the data of individuals with an information block will no longer be included in a registration certificate for their family members. The grand coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD had already implemented changes to protect people who were being harassed.
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Nancy Faeser strongly condemned the usage of intimidation tactics, such as "intimidation right at their front door," citing the example of Saxony's Health Minister, Petra Köpping, who was targeted with disturbing torchlight marches and verbal abuse. To combat this violence, Faeser proposed extended data protection measures for individuals who become the focus of such attacks, including a four-year data retention period and removal of their information from family members' registration certificates.
Source: www.ntv.de
