German Officials' Data Leaked: Chancellor, Military at Risk
Private data of high-ranking German officials, including the federal chancellor and top military personnel, has been accessed by commercial data dealers. This raises serious concerns about data privacy and security, with the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) warning of increased risks of phishing attacks and identity theft.
The BSI has confirmed that the phone numbers of its president, Claudia Plattner, and the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection, Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, were found with these data dealers. Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider expressed her disapproval, stating that she rejects the traceability of her phone number.
Data protection in Germany is primarily overseen by State Data Protection Authorities, with the Federal Data Protection Commissioner supervising federal authorities and certain telecommunications and postal companies. These authorities enforce data protection laws, including the GDPR, and cooperate to ensure adherence to regulations. The Federal Press Office declined to comment on the communication methods of the federal chancellor for security reasons.
The sale of private data of high-ranking officials highlights the need for stricter regulations against data brokers. The federal data protection commissioner demands clearer prohibitions from the legislator. The BSI and other authorities are working to combat illegal business models and protect social security.
