The German parliament has elected Moritz Hennemann as the new Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Information Freedom (BfDI). This decision was made following a proposal from the Union faction and received 391 votes in favor, 122 against, and 77 abstentions. Hennemann succeeds Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, who stepped down after two years due to health reasons. The appointment marks a transition in leadership for the office, which oversees both data protection and information freedom in Germany.
Hennemann, born in 1985, has been a professor of civil law, information law, media law, and internet law at the University of Freiburg since 2023. He has published extensively on topics related to data usage laws such as the Data Act and the Data Governance Act, and his work frequently engages with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, he has less documented expertise in the area of information freedom, which is also part of the BfDI's mandate. His academic background and publications have positioned him as a figure with a focus on economic aspects of data use, emphasizing its role in innovation and business models.
Hennemann is known for advocating a "data realism" approach, which views data as an economic asset rather than solely a privacy concern. He supported the EU’s Digital Omnibus Package in late 2025, despite criticism from data protection authorities, researchers, and civil society groups regarding potential threats to the AI regulation and GDPR. In past collaborations with Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, they jointly promoted the idea of building efficient and resilient global data ecosystems as a critical issue for the free world.
Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, before assuming her role as BfDI, was also a university professor and aligned with an innovation-oriented approach to data protection. She was more open to compromises in areas like healthcare digitization compared to her predecessor, Ulrich Kelber. Despite this, she emphasized the need to close gaps in data protection, often referencing investigations into data brokers conducted by netzpolitik.org and the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation. She initiated the Data Barometer, a recurring survey on public attitudes toward data issues, and recently advocated for the introduction of a federal transparency law. In discussions about harmonizing data protection oversight in Germany, she supported centralizing supervision over the economy under her agency. She criticized government plans to remove the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) from her oversight authority.
The selection process for Hennemann did not involve a public tender or other transparent procedures. Instead, he was chosen based on a recommendation from the Union faction, reflecting a shift in the political landscape surrounding the BfDI. While Hennemann is seen as a moderate figure in data protection, his approach contrasts with previous commissioners who were more rigid in their enforcement of data protection standards. For instance, Hennemann supports varying levels of data protection rules depending on the entity, suggesting stricter regulations for tech giants like Google and Facebook while allowing more flexibility for small businesses and non-commercial activities.
The election of Hennemann is considered secure, given the support from both the Union and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The SPD viewed his moderate stance as favorable, especially after finding Ulrich Kelber too uncompromising during the previous coalition period. Once appointed, Hennemann will move from academia to lead an institution with approximately 370 employees and an annual budget of 50 million euros. The BfDI oversees federal agencies including the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Federal Agency for the Protection of the Constitution, as well as telecommunications companies. Annual reports detailing findings and issues are published by the commissioner. The role has existed since 1978, and since 2006, it has also included responsibilities for information freedom, ensuring citizens can access information from federal authorities when needed. Alongside the federal commissioner, there are 16 state-level data protection officers overseeing regional authorities and most private enterprises.
2 reports
netzpolitik.orgIndependentCenter8 days agoThe German Bundestag has elected Moritz Hennemann as the new Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI), replacing Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, who stepped down due to health reasons. Hennemann, a law professor at the University of Freiburg specializing in data and media law, was proposed by the Union faction and received 391 votes in favor, 122 against, and 77 abstentions. His appointment follows a lack of public competition or transparency in the selection process. Hennemann advocates for an economically oriented approach to data protection, emphasizing data as an economic asset and supporting innovation through data usage. He has expressed support for the EU’s Digital Omnibus package, which faces criticism from privacy advocates. Hennemann previously collaborated with Specht-Riemenschneider on 'data realism,' promoting efficient global data ecosystems. Specht-Riemenschneider, a former law professor, supported stronger data protections and called for increased transparency and centralized oversight. She criticized plans to remove the BfDI’s authority over the federal intelligence service.
Bias read (Center): While the appointment of a new BfDI commissioner involves political considerations, the article presents both candidates' backgrounds and positions relatively neutrally. It highlights Hennemann's pro-business stance and Specht-Riemenschneider's focus on transparency and protection without overtly sl
taz – die tageszeitungIndependentCenter10 days agoThe German newspaper taz reports that Moritz Hennemann, a professor of civil law, information law, media law, and internet law at the University of Freiburg, will be elected as the new Federal Data Protection Commissioner (BfDI) by the Bundestag. His appointment was proposed by the CDU/CSU, and the SPD has also expressed support for his selection. Hennemann will succeed Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, who is stepping down after two years due to health reasons. Hennemann is described as a moderate data protection advocate, having previously supported the European Commission’s proposals to simplify the GDPR. He advocates for differentiated regulations, suggesting stricter rules for large technology companies like Google and Facebook compared to small businesses and non-commercial activities. The SPD supports him because he is seen as less uncompromising than previous candidates.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the appointment process and provides balanced quotes from both supporters and critics of Hennemann’s approach. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omissions that would indicate a clear ideological lean. The framing is non
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