Data protection versus Security: Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger warns

Data protection versus Security: Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger warns

The alarming calls after more surveillance and security powers are getting louder! Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, the former Federal Minister of Justice of the FDP, raises an alarm in the West German Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ): "The constant demands for more data and more control are nothing but a dangerous game with data protection!"

The same lyre is played again and again after a terrorist attack: the old lyre from more police, more surveillance and more powers are unpacked. But Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has enough of these empty promises! She sees that the Union is now again using old claims to the accommodation of the inventory, after a comprehensive security package has recently been rejected in the Federal Council. "All of this is only used for your own profiling!", She says and demands more sense instead of panic.

threat from Libya

A explosive detail throws further light on the situation: the potential assassin, a rejected asylum seeker from Libya, was apparently unknown to the security authorities! "If the authorities do not even search specifically, the data retention does not help!", The FDP politician makes clear.

Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, who also works as an anti-Semitism representative in North Rhine-Westphalia, asks an important question in the room: "Why was this man not to depart?". In her opinion, the focus must be on the structural defects in the system, not on a further expansion of the surveillance powers. A change in the way of thinking is urgently needed!

The security topic remains hot, but remember: Panicasproofing and brain brushes nobody becomes safer. The focus is on dealing with the serious wrong decisions and omissions!

The debate is open! It remains to be seen which steps those responsible will take in the coming weeks.