Ministry's Self-Determination Act Changes Spark Data Privacy Concerns
The Federal Ministry of the Interior is proposing changes to the registration process that affect all individuals who have utilised the Self-Determination Act since its enactment in 2024. The changes have sparked controversy and criticism from various associations and the Family Committee.
The ministry aims to regulate the practical implementation of the Self-Determination Act in the registration process. Instead of creating a new dataset, it plans to store the old first name, previous gender, and date of change in separate data fields within the current dataset. This means that every time a person moves, these data would be permanently stored and automatically transferred, making them accessible to countless other authorities at any time.
Critics warn of serious implications. The Chaos Computer Club Hamburg has raised concerns about a 'registry' of trans people and a violation of data protection. The Family Committee has recommended not approving the ordinance, stating it disregards the particular protection needs of trans people and exposes them to increased discrimination. All associations that have expressed an opinion on the draft are united in their criticism, warning that the changes would undermine the goal of the Self-Determination Act.
The ministry argues that the changes are necessary for unique identification and to comply with the disclosure ban. However, the proposed changes have been met with strong opposition, highlighting the need for careful consideration and dialogue to ensure the protection and rights of trans people.
