📰 netzpolitik.org · 42
GermanyParliamentary elections: Pantisano ready to cooperate with CDU in Saxony-Anhalt
Luigi Pantisano, a candidate for leadership of Germany's Left Party, has expressed willingness to cooperate with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after the state election in Saxony-Anhalt if it prevents the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) from gaining power. Pantisano emphasized that preventing the AfD from coming to power is the top priority, even if it requires cooperation with the CDU. However, he warned against forming a coalition with the CDU, citing concerns that such a move could reinforce the AfD's narrative that all other parties are the same and potentially lead to an
New EU action plan: Frontex to send ships and planes to the English Channel
The European Commission has proposed a new action plan aimed at addressing irregular migration across the English Channel. The plan includes measures such as enhanced border management by Frontex, increased cooperation with the UK, and efforts to dismantle smuggling networks. According to the International Organization for Migration, 121 people died or went missing during crossings in 2024 and 2025.
INPOL file: One million people in Germany listed in largest police database
German authorities have over one million people listed in the INPOL system, a national police database managed by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). The data includes individuals under investigation, those being tracked for residence verification, or under surveillance. The figures come from a response to a parliamentary inquiry by Germany's Left Party faction. Additional information reveals that the BKA's case management system contains nearly 34 million cases, though many are no longer current due to retention periods that can be extended by authorities. A separate file titled 'Inner
For all group chats: The WhatsApp chain letter warning of AI is a fake
A viral WhatsApp message warning users that artificial intelligence (AI) would soon have access to their private chats has been debunked as false. The message claims that starting today, AI would be able to read group messages, view phone numbers, and extract personal data from devices. However, experts clarify that WhatsApp messages remain end-to-end encrypted, and neither WhatsApp nor Meta AI can access private messages by default. The company explicitly states in its support pages that no one outside the chat can read, hear, or share messages. Additionally, there are currently no major功能性 (
heise+ How to set up a gaming mouse on Linux
The article discusses the challenges of configuring gaming mice under Linux. It highlights the advantages of gaming mice, such as higher USB polling rates, adjustable sensitivity, and customizable lighting, which are typically managed through manufacturer-provided software available only for Windows and macOS. The article notes that Linux users must manually configure these devices without the convenience of proprietary software. It references past testing of gaming keyboards like the Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum and mentions a small program called G810-LED that helps manage LED settings under
Social Networks: Why W Social is More Cold Coffee Than Hot Shit
The article discusses the launch of W Social, a new social network positioning itself as a European alternative to Twitter. It highlights W Social's emphasis on hosting data in Europe, requiring users to be over 18 and verify their identity with an ID card to prevent bots, spam, misinformation, and manipulation. The article questions why users should trust this profit-driven Swedish startup over established alternatives like Mastodon, Bluesky, or Eurosky. It notes that W Social plans to introduce advertising and micropayments for content behind paywalls. In contrast, it points out the long-exi
I see what you don't see.
The article discusses concerns surrounding Meta's 'Surveillance Glasses,' highlighting their potential to normalize surveillance and raise privacy issues. It mentions that the city of Potsdam has banned smart glasses in public baths, and the French data protection authority warns against their use. European parliamentarians are calling for transparency regarding who has access to footage recorded by these devices. Critics argue that smart glasses pose significant risks to personal privacy due to lack of transparency and control over data collection and processing. The article also notes that a
The Court of Justice ruled that age verification and flash warnings were legally reinforced.
The European Court of Justice (EuGH) has reinforced the rights of EU member states to enforce stricter rules on digital services, even if those services are operated by companies based in other EU countries. The ruling allows states to require effective age verification from foreign providers of adult content websites and to prohibit the dissemination of information about police traffic checks via driver assistance apps. The decision was made in response to a request from the French Council of State regarding the interpretation of the E-Commerce Directive. Two decrees in France were at the中心:
Palantir largely fails with counter-narratives against "Republic" research
The U.S.-based data analytics company Palantir largely failed in its attempt to force the Swiss online magazine 'Republik' to publish a comprehensive rebuttal. The Zurich Commercial Court rejected 22 out of 23 requested counter-statements in its June 4, 2026 ruling. This follows two investigations by 'Republik' and the WAV research collective published in December 2025, which documented seven years of largely unsuccessful efforts by Palantir to acquire data from Swiss federal authorities and highlighted Zurich's role as a European hub for the company. Palantir only succeeded in getting a rebut
The Medical Register Act: A lifetime disproportionate risk
The article discusses Germany's proposed Medical Register Act (Medizinregistergesetz), which aims to standardize access to health data stored in over 350 databases across the country. The law would establish a central authority, the Zentralstelle für Medizinregister (ZMR), to oversee data quality and privacy compliance. Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) supports the initiative, emphasizing its potential benefits for research. However, during a committee hearing, various experts and organizations expressed concerns, including violations of European data protection laws, risks of re-identifying
Protests against police law amendments: A wave of resistance
The article describes a protest against proposed surveillance law expansions by the German federal government. Demonstrators, some as young as 15, attempted to disrupt a live stream by a far-right YouTuber while expressing opposition to increased state surveillance measures. These include AI-based monitoring, biometric identification, creation of suspect lists, expanded police powers, automated video surveillance, and potential integration of health and financial data into a centralized database.
The crisis of freedom of expression: the offended
The article discusses a demonstration against conscription where police arrested a young woman for allegedly insulting the federal chancellor with a sign reading 'Friedrich stirb doch selber an der Ostfront!' The author argues that this statement does not constitute a legal offense such as defamation or insult but rather expresses a sharp critique of conscription and its potential consequences, including death in war.
Degitalization: Assembly
The article draws parallels between modern digital propaganda techniques involving AI-driven advertising and early 20th-century Soviet film propaganda methods used by directors like Sergei Eisenstein and Dziga Vertov. It references historical experiments with film editing, such as those conducted by Lev Kuleshov, which demonstrated how visual sequences could influence audience perception.
20 years of the Freedom of Information Act: not to weaken but to expand transparency
The article discusses the 20th anniversary of Germany's Freedom of Information Act (IFG), highlighting its role in requiring federal authorities to provide information upon request since January 1, 2006. Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI), emphasized the need to further develop the IFG into a transparency law. She criticized current efforts to weaken freedom of information, arguing that such restrictions undermine democracy rather than enhance security. The article notes that while the IFG mandates the release of many信息
Internal documents: the chat control trilogy is at a crucial stage
The European Union institutions are negotiating key aspects of chat control regulations. The European Parliament wants internet services to scan content only from suspicious users, while the Commission proposes mandatory scanning of all users' content. EU member states prefer voluntary scanning. Cyprus holds the EU presidency and has presented new compromise proposals. Documents from May 26 and May 29 have been published, along with meeting protocols from May 21 and June 10. The institutions have provisionally agreed to exclude encrypted content from the scope of the law.
Tracking, data analysis and AI: How invisible workers control football
The article discusses the increasing use of data analytics, AI, and tracking technologies in football, particularly highlighting the 2026 Men's World Cup as the most data-driven tournament in history. It mentions tools such as AI-assisted offside detection, sensor-equipped balls, 3D scans of players, and AI assistants for national teams. The piece also notes the growing role of real-time tracking, data-based recruitment models, and tactical dashboards in football. However, it points out that discussions around these technologies often focus narrowly on visible aspects like offside lines or直播统计
Protect instead of lockdown: German Ethics Council says no to social media ban
The German Ethics Council has issued recommendations aimed at protecting children and young people online. The council explicitly opposes a social media ban for minors, modeled after Australia's approach. Instead, it advocates for platforms to make digital spaces safer. The council rejects methods that require user data to leave devices for age verification. This comes amid international debate over internet safety for children and youth, with politicians at federal, state, and EU levels calling for a social media ban for minors, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU).
Stock data 2025: Authorities ask more than every second who owns a phone number
The article discusses the automated data retrieval system operated by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) in Germany, known as 'Bestandsdatenauskunft' or 'Authority Telephone Directory.' In 2025, this system processed approximately 35.11 million requests to determine which individual is associated with a specific phone number. The article highlights that German authorities, including police, intelligence agencies, and customs, have increasingly used this system, with queries occurring nearly every second. Additionally, there were 340,813 requests to find out which phone numbers are
The judgment on the data protection penalty: German housing is in a bad mood
The Berlin Regional Court upheld a fine imposed by the Berlin Data Protection Commissioner against Deutsche Wohnen SE for violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, it significantly reduced the original fine from 14.5 million euros to 900,000 euros. The court found that Deutsche Wohnen had used an archive system that did not allow for the deletion of non-relevant personal data of tenants, including sensitive information such as pay slips, employment contracts, tax and social insurance records, and bank statements. The court ruled that the company had intentionally违反 theD
Age controls: the pudding will fall on our feet
The article discusses the concept of age verification systems online, highlighting their inherent contradictions. While politicians demand strict controls to prevent underage access to certain content, these measures must also be lenient to protect users' privacy and data rights. The author compares this challenge to impossible mythical creatures like the 'eierlegende Wollmilchsau' and Schrödinger's cat, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of the task.
Police data broker deals: opposition calls for clarification in eight federal states
The opposition in at least eight German federal states is demanding transparency regarding potential data broker deals involving police forces. This follows investigations by netzpolitik.org and the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation. The State Criminal Police Office in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern admitted to obtaining mobile location data from the advertising industry, which experts say lacks a clear legal basis. The data protection authority in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has intervened. In Brandenburg, the police obtained data from companies such as business information agencies. In nine other states,
AI could become one of the biggest water consumers on the planet.
The article discusses the potential environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting concerns about increased energy consumption and water usage. According to estimates by the UN, AI systems' electricity demand is expected to double by 2030, accounting for approximately three percent of global electricity consumption. Additionally, AI data centers will require significant amounts of water for cooling, potentially exceeding the amount needed for human consumption worldwide. The article also references the Jevons Paradox, which suggests that improved efficiency may lead to even
Automated abuse suspicion: BKA is taking action against harmless videos
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) sent an urgent warning to the internet hosting provider Flokinet, requesting the immediate deletion of content it deemed criminal. The notice included two web links pointing to videos hosted on an Invidious instance operated under Flokinet's domain. Invidious functions as an alternative front-end for YouTube and does not host content itself but forwards requests to YouTube. The videos in question were harmless: one showed composer Hans Zimmer working on a slap-bass solo, and the other featured operatic singer Plácido Domingo performing. Both videos were
New sounds from Brussels: Open source to make Europe more independent
The European Commission has introduced a new open-source strategy as part of its 'Tech Sovereignty Package' aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on non-European providers in critical digital areas. The strategy emphasizes leveraging Europe's existing open-source contributions to gain control over its digital future. The commission highlights the economic value generated by open-source projects within Europe but notes that profits often leave the continent. The strategy covers the entire lifecycle of open-source software, from research and development to deployment and long-term maintenance.
The illusion is that the world is beautiful.
The article describes a deceptive marketing strategy used by online sellers of minimalist tableware. The author recounts their experience with an Instagram ad promoting a product from an Amsterdam-based 'Atelier,' which led them to a website offering a promotional deal. After initial hesitation due to price, they received a follow-up email with a discount, prompting a purchase. However, weeks later, the same product was seen being sold by other vendors using similar branding and names like 'Collective' or 'Studio.' The article highlights how these sellers create the illusion of exclusivity and
KW 23: The week we brought the data broker debate to the federal states
The article discusses recent revelations that police forces in two German states, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, have obtained data from data brokers. While Brandenburg clarified it did not obtain personal location data, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern confirmed that it acquired mobile phone location data from the advertising industry. The article explains how everyday app usage can lead to the collection of user location data by data brokers, which could then be accessed by law enforcement.
Data centres in the EU: power consumers to make us sovereign
The European Commission has introduced a 'Technological Sovereignty Package' aimed at increasing Europe's technological autonomy and resilience, ranging from hardware to software. The initiative seeks to reduce dependence on foreign technologies critical to healthcare, energy networks, and service security. However, critics argue that the Commission's definition of digital sovereignty focuses heavily on industrial policy rather than regulation and regulatory enforcement. A key concern raised is the significant increase in energy demand associated with expanding data centers, which could create
For Cosmo Radio: ARD is already making AfD's media policy
The article discusses the closure of Cosmo Radio, a multilingual public radio station known for its diverse programming and representation of migrant perspectives. The author criticizes the decision by the WDR, part of the ARD network, to shut down the station during a time when the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is gaining strength and the federal government is accused of adopting policies similar to those of the AfD. The article argues that this move undermines efforts to promote an open and pluralistic society.
Court ruling: Facebook Messenger remains the dominant Internet service
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Facebook Messenger remains classified as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), meaning it must comply with stricter regulations than smaller competitors. The court rejected Meta's challenge against this classification, stating that Messenger can be used independently of other Meta services like Facebook or Instagram. The ruling emphasizes that Messenger functions as a standalone communication service, even though it is part of the broader Meta ecosystem.
The Council and Parliament agree: a deportation regime dreamed of by the far right
The European Parliament and EU member states have reached an agreement on a new return regulation aimed at increasing and improving the deportation of non-EU nationals without legal status. The regulation, which was first proposed by the EU Commission last year, is intended to complement the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), effective June 12. Despite significant criticism from lawyers and human rights organizations, EU institutions remain committed to their strict approach. Under the new rules, individuals could be sent to detention centers outside the EU territory even if他们
Mass monitoring: Federal Council wants to greatly expand storage of reserve data
The German Federal Council's legal committee has proposed expanding the planned data retention laws, which would require internet service providers to store additional user data beyond just IP addresses. The proposed changes include storing connection identifiers, user identifiers, precise timestamps, and port numbers. The current proposal mandates data storage for three months, but the committee recommends extending it to six months.
The embarrassing gap: Hackers are using meta-AI to release foreign Instagram accounts
Hackers exploited a security vulnerability in Meta's AI-powered support chatbot to gain access to Instagram accounts, including those of former U.S. President Barack Obama and a high-ranking officer in the U.S. Space Force. The attack involved using a VPN to mimic the location of the target account, triggering the 'forgot password' function, and providing a new email address to the chatbot. Meta confirmed the breach and stated it has been resolved.
Online advertising: When surveillance capitalism and surveillance state grow together
The article discusses how German police have used data from the online advertising ecosystem for covert surveillance, similar to practices by ICE in the U.S. and Hungarian authorities under Viktor Orbán. The research reveals that at least in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, police accessed precise location data from smartphones, collected by tracking firms through popular apps without users' knowledge. These data are sold by data brokers to any interested parties. The article highlights concerns over the risks posed by such freely available data, particularly for vulnerable groups like journalists andL
AI climate scams and greenwashing: Big tech explains the problem
The article discusses how the expansion of AI data centers increases demand for fossil fuels due to their high energy consumption. Technology companies downplay the negative climate impacts while promoting AI as a future solution to climate change. A report by AlgorithmWatch critiques these claims as lacking credible evidence, calling them empty promises that allow continued environmental harm. The report analyzed 154 AI-related climate claims from eight sources, finding that most focused on traditional AI applications rather than addressing broader climate issues.
Digital media competence: parents and schoolmates should be judged
The article discusses the lack of concrete measures by the German Conference of Ministers of Education to strengthen children's media competence in schools regarding social media. According to a report by Tagesspiegel Background, the draft explanation from the ministers does not prioritize expanding media education at schools. Instead, the ministers emphasize parental responsibility for their children's media skills, arguing that problematic media usage mostly occurs outside school. While the ministers acknowledge that schools should make a determined contribution to media competence, the plan
Network Politics Encyclical: How Pope Leo Argues Against the Destiny of Man
The article discusses Pope Leo XIV's encyclical 'Magnifica humanitas,' which addresses various netzpolitische (internet policy-related) issues such as artificial intelligence, digital colonialism, surveillance, algorithmic discrimination, regulation of multinational digital corporations, the digital commons, and age limits for social media services. The encyclical emphasizes the dignity of humans as central to societal organization and criticizes the reduction of AI to mere technical aspects, highlighting the broader network of resources, infrastructure, and people involved.
KW 22: The week when the databroker files continued to circulate
The article discusses the ongoing impact of the 'Databroker Files' investigation, which revealed the illegal trade of mobile location data by the advertising industry. In the United States, senators and congress members have questioned the Pentagon about how this data trade could endanger U.S. soldiers. The article references previous research from November 2024, conducted jointly with the magazine Wired, which showed how data brokers exposed the movements of military personnel at locations such as Grafenwöhr and Ramstein Air Base. These movement profiles included routes from barracks to homes
TikTok, Instagram, Youtube: platforms shut down for hate speech and account blocks
A report by the Appeals Centre Europe reveals that social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook are inadequately enforcing their policies against hate speech, violence, and criminal content. According to the report, 70% of reviewed cases where hate speech was not removed were deemed inappropriate by the center, with higher percentages for violence and crime. TikTok had the highest rate of disagreement at 83%, followed by Instagram (74%), Facebook (61%), and YouTube (58%). The content often targeted migrants, religious minorities, Roma people, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The
Instead of enforcing international law: EU Mediterranean mission IRINI will be used only for migration protection
The European Union's Mediterranean mission IRINI, originally launched six years ago to enforce an arms embargo against Libya under a UN mandate, is being restructured. With the expiration of the UN mandate, the legal basis for maritime inspections has ended. However, the EU is transforming the mission into one focused primarily on migration control, incorporating previously excluded eastern regions of Libya. This shift is outlined in a recent draft agreement obtained by the NGO Statewatch.
The hype about forecast markets continues: bet the Trump family wins
The article discusses the growing popularity of prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi, highlighting their increasing trading volumes and efforts to attract institutional investors like hedge funds. It notes that these platforms have faced regulatory pushback in several countries, with examples including Indonesia and Spain implementing internet blocks against them due to concerns over ethical issues and potential manipulation.
Uncertain cheap imports: EU Commission imposes a severe penalty on Temu
The European Commission has fined Temu, a Chinese-based online marketplace, 200 million euros for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). The fine follows an investigation that found users in the EU face a high risk of unknowingly purchasing illegal products on the platform. Temu must also submit a plan by the end of August outlining how it will prevent such practices in the future. Under the DSA, very large online services like Temu are subject to stricter regulations, including regular risk assessments and potential fines up to six percent of their global annual revenue.
Criminal charges: journalist defending against state trojan attack
A German citizen and Vietnamese journalist, Trung Khoa Le, has filed a criminal complaint against an alleged state-sponsored cyberattack using a 'state trojan.' The attack was reportedly attempted through a link shared by an account named @Joseph_Gordon16 in response to a tweet by Le. Le, who publishes investigative reports on Vietnam from Germany, faces threats and police protection due to his work. He previously exposed corruption within Vietnam's defense ministry.