The german government (that is the CDU CSU and SPD partys) passed a law that would require communication providers to keep connection data for half a year. This data retention includes phone calls, emails and internet connection data such as IP addresses.

This law was passed as a “preventive” step against terrorism, mostly. Which is such an hilariously bad argumentation, actually.

This is a serious step towards total surveillance, and is considered to be unconstitutional by many. Amongst others, it seriously undermines Confidentiality protection for e.g. priests, lawyers, doctors and journalists. Apart from opening the doors for total surveillance, of course and not having any desireable effect when it comes to preventing crimes, especially terrorism. Over 20.000 people already have already signed a complaint of unconstitutionality to be handed in at the Federal Constitutional Court in germany. This would then be the biggest complaint of unconstitutionality in the (short) history of the Federal republic of Germany. (1300 people complained 1983 against the census, which led to privacy protection becoming considered a key role of the german constitution)

Right now, the law is waiting to be signed by the German state president (and we hope that he might refuse to sign it). Once it has take effect, the complaint can be handed in.

Web page with further information.

If you are a German resident, please join the 20.000+ others who have already signed a mandate for the complaint of unconstitutionality. Deadline is December 24th.

It’s our freedom we’re fighting for!