Germany's Coalition Plans to Restrict Freedom of Information Act Amid Security Concerns

Germany set to restrict its Freedom of Information Act

Germany's ruling coalition is pushing to significantly restrict the Freedom of Information Act, citing global cyberwarfare and domestic threats. The proposed reforms would limit data access to natural persons, exclude organizations like Greenpeace and Amnesty International, and potentially raise fees. Critics, including opposition lawmakers and civil society groups, argue this move undermines transparency and civil rights, calling it a drastic step backward for government accountability.

"Under the pretext of having to adapt to new security threats, they are fundamentally undermining the legal foundations of government transparency."