Data protection and digitization should not be seen as opposing forces, emphasized Sachsen-Anhalt's Digital Minister Lydia Hüskens during the inaugural Mitteldeutsche Datenschutztag (Middle German Data Protection Day) held on March 4, 2025, in Magdeburg. The event gathered over 140 data protection officers from various agencies, municipalities, and companies to discuss the future of data protection and its integration within digital innovation.
Hüskens highlighted the long-standing tendency to use concerns over data protection as a "kill argument," which she said has stifled innovation and digital projects. "We need to break this mentality; data protection should facilitate and not hinder progress," she declared, stressing the necessity of finding balance between protecting personal data and embracing technological advancements.
The data protection officers from the three federal states—Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, and Thüringen—echoed this sentiment. Sachsen-Anhalt's Data Protection Officer Christina Rost remarked, "The more knowledge we impart about data protection, the less it is perceived as something obstructive." She expressed the need for a dedicated lobby to advocate for data protection interests, asserting, "I wish for data protection to serve as sensible guidelines for data use, creating equilibrium with technological advancement."
Thüringen's Data Protection Officer Tino Melzer added to this dialogue by emphasizing the importance of maintaining independent data protection authorities. He stated, "We are elected representatives tasked with preserving data protection independently. Our role includes ensuring compliance among both private sector organizations and public entities." The concerns over potential centralization of data protection authorities across Germany were discussed, with many fearing it could undermine independence and effectiveness.
Sachsen's Data Protection Officer Juliane Hundert warned of the dangers posed by centralization. She shared, "Citizens must always be able to trust the lawful processing of their data across all sectors." This reflects broader concerns stemming from political and economic pressures advocating for the centralization of state data protection authorities, known as Landesdatenschutzbehörden. Both Rost and her colleagues urged lawmakers to rethink these centralizing strategies, with Rost stating, "I would appreciate it if federal legislators could urgently reconsider the centralization of data protection supervisory authorities and refrain from pursuing it."
Discussions also turned to the growing dependence on non-European technology providers, particularly concerning data privacy. The participants explored alternatives to widely-used platforms such as Facebook and X, promoting the need for data protection-friendly options for businesses, especially small enterprises facing challenges with compliance and technology usage.
One of the key goals of the discussion was to assert the importance of data sovereignty—an idea emphasized at the Mitteldeutsche Datenschutztag—wherein local governance and authority over data management remain intact. The gathering served as both an educational platform and strategic assembly for data protection advocates to rally for forward-thinking solutions.
Overall, the inaugural Mitteldeutsche Datenschutztag illustrated the intertwined nature of data protection and digitization, with officials and advocates advocating for collaborative approaches to secure both business innovation and individual privacy. The active participation of more than 140 professionals signaled the growing urgency and importance of these issues, underscoring the pivotal role of data protection agencies across Germany.