Overview
- An online petition led by Sebastian Müller became the first under new rules to pass 10,000 signatures, triggering today’s Petitions Committee hearing in Stuttgart.
- Critics, including data‑protection experts and CCC members, warned of sweeping data linkage, risks to personality rights and vendor dependence on a U.S. firm tied to Peter Thiel.
- Interior Ministry officials and Landespolizeipräsidentin Stefanie Hinz argued automated analysis is operationally necessary and said data will reside in a secured, police‑controlled data center with no external access.
- The green‑black government already signed a contract with Palantir, and the Landtag plans to amend the police law next week to allow use of Gotham, which links records the police already hold.
- Green Party members have filed an internal referendum initiative that could force a party‑wide vote if they mobilize 5% of members, as opponents also explore legal avenues to challenge the rollout.