The Federal Minister of Justice, Stefanie Hubig, has cautioned against extensive deployments of the Bundeswehr (Germany’s armed forces) within the country for drone defense operations. Addressing the “Welt am Sonntag” newspaper, Hubig emphasized that drone defense constitutes a core security policy task and that police forces are the primary responders to drone-related incidents occurring within Germany.
Hubig acknowledged the need for potential adjustments to the legal framework in this area, but reiterated that utilizing the Bundeswehr for internal security operations is permissible only under tightly restricted conditions – a principle she insists should remain unchanged.
Separately, Minister Hubig announced the imminent introduction of a mandatory data retention policy for IP addresses. Citing the prevalence of child pornography online, she stated that IP addresses frequently represent the sole clue for identifying perpetrators. Currently, investigations are often halted due to the inability to ascertain the individual associated with a specific IP address at the time of an offense.
“There is a pressing need for action” Hubig stated. The proposed regulation will require internet service providers to retain IP addresses and port numbers for a period of three months. She argued that this measure is justifiable, asserting that it does not enable the creation of detailed movement or personality profiles and represents a limited infringement on fundamental rights. The draft legislation is reportedly nearing completion.