The christian-democratic politician Andrea Voßhoff will succeed Peter Schaar as Federal Data Protection Commissioner (DPC). Her election is criticized because she did not care about data protection so far: She supported the data retention that was declared unlawful later on, and demanded the online searching of computers with spyware by governmental bodies and the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Green politician Konstantin von Notz says in a guest article for German Handelsblatt that this is just another part of the government’s try to weaken fundamental rights protection of German citizen.

Since Christmas is close when hope and happiness is celebrated in many parts of the world, I still hope that her new role will change Mrs. Voßhoff’s mindset and she will become a strong supporter of the right of informational self-determination and privacy 😉

On this note, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!