This Wednesday, the Federal Cabinet will be discussing a highly anticipated draft law concerning the mandatory storage of IP addresses and the expansion of data collection powers for criminal proceedings. According to reports from the “Welt”, a central component of this proposal requires that internet service providers must store their customers’ IP addresses for a period of three months. The primary stated goal of this measure is to simplify the investigation of digital crimes and secure electronic evidence.
During the discussion, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) told the newspaper that criminals have systematically exploited anonymity online-citing examples ranging from child abuse material and fraudulent online shops to terrorism and organized crime. He argued that the mandatory IP address storage will shed light on the “digital darkness” making perpetrators visible, dismantling criminal networks, and ensuring forensic evidence for prosecution. The minister further asserted that this legislation closes a dangerous gap, providing security agencies with necessary operational force within the digital sphere.
Furthermore, the draft reportedly increases the powers available to the Federal Police compared to previous drafts. Specifically, through the instrument of a “security order” the agency will be able to arrange for the seizure of communication data in emergency situations, even before all legal or factual prerequisites for collecting such data have been met. Additionally, the law aims to reinstate the possibility of tracking cell phone traffic when dealing with crimes of “significant importance”.