Overview
- Deutsche Bahn began issuing body-worn cameras to about 2,000 Fernverkehr employees on Wednesday, July 1, covering train attendants, on-board catering staff and DB Lounge reception teams.
- Wearing the cameras is voluntary and staff must notify nearby passengers before switching the device on; the company says cameras are to be activated only in concrete conflict or escalation situations.
- Recordings are stored encrypted on a protected server, automatically deleted after 72 hours, and may be accessed by the Bundespolizei only if a criminal complaint is filed; DB Fernverkehr says it will not view or analyse the footage.
- DB plans to pilot audio recording in the third quarter of 2026 but will only do so after legal clearance from authorities, and staff will receive training on use, legal rules and de-escalation before deployment.
- The bodycam rollout is one element of a broader action plan that also includes hiring 200 additional security personnel and upgrading an emergency help button to improve on-duty safety for rail employees.