Data protection in municipalities

Data protection protects against the misuse of personal data by third parties.

Technological progress makes it possible to collect personal data ever faster and more extensively. Both public authorities and the private sector process a great deal of information about applicants and their customers. Name, address and birth data are stored as well as information, e.g. on purchasing behavior or income. It is becoming increasingly difficult for citizens to keep track of who is storing data, what information it is and, above all, whether this data processing is also permitted. The right to informational self-determination means that every person has the right to determine the disclosure and use of their data.

Public authorities have to process personal data for a variety of tasks. The data protection regulations determine the conditions under which personal data may be processed.

The official data protection officers of the respective administrations support them in matters relating to ensuring data protection and compliance with data protection regulations. Furthermore, the official data protection officers are also contact persons for data subjects who have questions about data protection in the respective administration or would like to point out problems.