Overview
- Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig opposes a statutory Klarnamenpflicht, arguing anonymous or pseudonymous speech is constitutionally protected and offenders can be identified after the fact.
- Thuringia’s Minister‑President Mario Voigt welcomes a real‑name debate, saying anonymity is abused to threaten and dehumanize and that this harms democratic discourse.
- Former Constitutional Court president Andreas Voßkuhle considers an online real‑name requirement constitutionally permissible despite practical difficulties.
- Bavaria’s Digital Minister Fabian Mehring backs a real‑name policy to ensure those who insult, threaten or incite hatred can be held accountable online.
- Official data show 34% of German internet users encountered hateful or degrading content in Q1 2025, up from 28% in 2023, while only a small share of hate‑posting cases are prosecuted and no federal bill has been introduced.