Overview

• The Berlin Data Protection Commissioner, Meike Kamp, criticized companies, the police, and the public prosecutor's office for violating data protection regulations in her 2024 annual report.
• Key violations include a company using customer communication to train AI without consent and another using images from an online platform to enhance AI models without transparency.
• The Berlin Police faced scrutiny for installing invasive surveillance cameras at the Kottbusser Tor station, deemed an 'unreasonable' infringement on public rights.
• The public prosecutor's office was reprimanded for employing facial recognition software without a legal basis, affecting the privacy of numerous individuals.
• Over 6,000 public complaints were lodged in 2024, a record high, leading to 104 warnings and 164 fines totaling €80,000, as the Commissioner urged stricter compliance with data protection laws.