Overview

• The Frankfurt Regional Court has started proceedings in a lawsuit filed by privacy group Digitalcourage against Deutsche Bahn over the DB Navigator app's data collection practices.
• The app, used by over 35 million customers, allegedly shares user data with third-party firms like Google and Adobe without proper consent, violating GDPR regulations.
• Judges have raised concerns about the legality of non-optional tracking cookies, including those from Adobe Analytics and Optimizely, and have called for expert testimony to assess their necessity.
• Digitalcourage argues that the app's extensive data tracking forces travelers into 'digital coercion,' disadvantaging those who avoid app ecosystems or prioritize privacy.
• Deutsche Bahn defends its practices, claiming data collection is essential for app functionality and service improvements, while denying misuse for unauthorized marketing.