Dr. Helmut Redeker, Chairman of the DAV Committee on Information Law, gives an opinion
[datensicherheit.de, 04.11.2020] Attorney Dr. Helmut Redeker, chairman of the “Information Law” committee of the German Lawyers’ Association (DAV) held a Opinion on the so-called Register Modernization Act submitted – with this the legislator would like to make the tax identification number (tax ID) a uniform identification number for citizens. The DAV rejects this law according to their own statements “decidedly”.
DAV sees the risk of complete coverage
Dr. Redeker: “It creates the technical prerequisites for this, the individual citizens in all aspects of their lives. Theoretically, health data, tax data and information on possible criminal records can be combined with the identification number. “ The law does not allow such a complete recording, but does not expressly prohibit it either.
Right of informational self-determination threatened according to DAV among others
A general personal identifier would not only endanger the right to informational self-determination. It could too unconstitutional his. The Federal Constitutional Court has already made it clear twice – with the microcensus ruling and the census ruling – that the state should not compulsorily register and catalog its citizens in their full personality. “As soon as personality profiles can be created, it should only be a matter of time before the security authorities access them”warns Dr. Redeker.
DAV recommends, for example, the Austrian model
All these dangers do not justify the fact that a personal identification number is practical for the authorities. To avoid duplication of work for the authorities, there is “Milder means” – For example, the system used in Austria is cryptographically more secure, Area-specific characteristics restricted to individual areas of life or other modern identity management systems. “The legislature has not convincingly explained why it should still be a personal identification number. It seems as if he is pushing considerations of practicality in order to secretly take the path to the ‘transparent citizen’. “ Citizens are not vehicles – they should not be recorded with a central license plate.
–
