The German Federal Minister for Digital Affairs, Karsten Wildberger, has voiced concerns over a fragmented landscape of data protection regulations, describing the current system as a “patchwork” of differing rules. Speaking to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Minister Wildberger indicated that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence will likely spur discussions aimed at streamlining existing frameworks.
A key proposal involves centralizing oversight of the 16 separate federal data protection officers, aiming for greater efficiency and coordination. Minister Wildberger emphasized the ongoing need to safeguard both data security and individual privacy, however, he acknowledged that the regulatory environment is overly complex and risk-based, with various regulations and laws frequently overlapping and requiring refinement.
Looking ahead to the digitalization of public administration, Wildberger announced plans to introduce more stringent standards. He argued that the lack of clear guidelines has contributed to the slow pace of digitization witnessed in recent years. Specific areas targeted for centralized services include vehicle registration and de-registration processes, with the federal government preparing to provide platform solutions potentially incorporating artificial intelligence. This, he believes, “could be a breakthrough to reduce complexity and accelerate administrative action.
Wildberger expressed disappointment that, despite Germany’s acknowledged excellence in research and development, the country has struggled to translate these achievements into large-scale, internationally scalable digital business models. He suggested that Germany is not adequately leveraging its talent pool.
While conceding that delivering truly customer-friendly and effective digital solutions across federal, state and local levels has proven challenging, the Minister assured citizens that significant improvements should be discernible by the end of the current legislative period. The goal is to enable digital completion of tasks that currently require physical visits to government offices, such as applying for identity documents or vehicle registrations, alongside simplifying the process for obtaining certificates and accessing certain social services. However, prioritizing these efforts will be crucial. The complete digitization of all interactions with government agencies remains a longer-term objective.