The Baden-Württemberg Council of Ministers has approved an amendment to the State Data Protection Act proposed by Interior Minister Thomas Strobl. The aim of the reform is to provide legal certainty for the use of digital technologies in administration, research and public spaces while ensuring the protection of personal data.

Video surveillance in public spaces

A key point of the amendment concerns video surveillance. In future, the use of cameras in public spaces will be permitted both for the fulfilment of public tasks and within the scope of property rights. The maximum storage period for video data will be extended to two months, and previous restrictions on the protection of individuals or specific objects will be removed. In addition, artificial intelligence will be permitted to be used for video surveillance, in particular to protect life and limb and to secure public infrastructure. According to Minister Strobl, these regulations were developed in consultation with local government associations and with data protection in mind.

Artificial intelligence in administration and research

The amended law also creates a legal basis for the use of AI in public administration and the judiciary. AI systems should be able to be used and trained in compliance with data protection regulations. This also makes it legally possible for the administration to automatically generate notices using AI.

In addition, the scope for research is to be expanded. In future, personal data may be used more extensively for research in the public interest in order to strengthen science and Baden-Württemberg as a research location.

Outlook

The draft law is now to be introduced in the state parliament. With this reform, the state government aims to promote the use of digital technologies in administration, research and public safety, while continuing to protect the rights of citizens. The law is intended to strike a balance between data protection, security and technological modernisation.