Record numbers in data protection: Reports show that submissions are steadily increasing

Whether video surveillance, AI, or health data, the number of complaints about data protection is increasing rapidly. The new activity reports from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony make it clear: people are taking their rights seriously. And they are demanding political protection. Why data protection is more urgent today than ever before – and how authorities are responding to current challenges.

Data should be protected

The activity reports of the state data protection officers of NRW and Lower Saxony demonstrate a strong need for data protection. The LDI Bettina Gayk emphasizes: “Too often I hear that data protection is an obstacle or is taken too seriously. But people want their data to be protected and they also need to be taken seriously politically with their concerns.” This is shown by a new record of 12,490 submissions (including the reporting of 2,170 data breaches). This would contradict the political plans to centralize data protection in the economic sector with the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection. “Given these numbers, which only affect NRW, entire departments would have to be rebuilt at the Federal Data Protection Commissioner. At the same time, established structures at the state level would be dismantled. That is something no one can seriously want,” Gayk criticizes.

Thinking about data protection for digital progress

This is also the case in Lower Saxony: “We need strong data protection – not as a brake, but to enable trustworthy digitalization.” The state data protection officer Denis Lehmkemper commented on the handling of artificial intelligence: “Especially in the use of artificial intelligence, in healthcare and in public administration, it becomes clear: Only those who think about data protection can bring digital progress and the personal rights of each individual into a fair balance.”

Digital sovereignty as a new challenge

At the same time, Lehmkemper advocates for strengthening digital sovereignty: “Dependence on highly integrated, proprietary IT ecosystems can become a trap for data protection if it becomes almost impossible to switch to a data protection-friendly offer when needed. Therefore, digital sovereignty is becoming an increasingly central requirement for digitalization.” Even in Lower Saxony, there are increasing numbers (2,300 complaints (up 7 percent) and 1,500 reported data breaches (up 17 percent)). In particular, complaints were frequently made about unauthorized video surveillance and the unwarranted publication of personal data on social networks.

More complaints, more awareness – and clear political signals

Both reports underscore the importance of strong data protection in an increasingly digitalized world, especially when using AI. The increasing number of complaints and reported data breaches also demonstrates a growing awareness of data protection among the general public, without the affected individuals being reluctant to directly contact their responsible data protection supervisory authorities with their issues.

TB NRW: https://www.ldi.nrw.de/system/files/media/document/file/30.-bericht.pdf
TB Nds.: https://www.lfd.niedersachsen.de/2024/tatigkeitsbericht-2024-242456.html