Privacy challenge to data-storage law reaches German constitutional court

A controversial law forcing communications companies to keep records of customers’ phone and internet use for six months was to be scrutinised on Tuesday by the constitutional court after 34,000 people lodged appeals against the law.

Germany’s highest court, based in Karlsruhe in the state of Baden-Württemberg, was to examine 60 separate legal questions regarding the law, which has prompted the biggest class action in the court’s history.

The law is meant to make it easier for authorities to gather evidence against criminal suspects including terrorists but opponents claim that it invades the privacy of people who have done nothing wrong.

Read more in The Local (De)

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