Germany’s new coalition government, formed by the conservative bloc and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), has outlined an ambitious plan to digitize public services and provide a digital identity for every citizen. The incoming government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is focused on modernizing the state with a major digital overhaul. One of the key components of this transformation is the establishment of a new Ministry of Digital and State Modernization, aimed at streamlining public administration.
As part of this modernization effort, the government intends to introduce the EU Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, a digital platform for citizens and businesses. The wallet will serve multiple functions, including identification, authentication, and payments. According to the coalition agreement, all citizens will be required to have a digital identity, though provisions will be made for those who prefer not to go digital, with local assistance available. The digital identity initiative, expected to be operational by 2027, will start with identification services and could eventually include digital certificates for essential services, such as pension cards and health insurance records.
A notable part of the coalition’s proposal also touches on biometric surveillance and AI-powered security measures. The government has indicated that security agencies may use AI to conduct data analysis for serious crimes, including using retrospective biometric identification to track down perpetrators. The plan includes deploying video surveillance at crime hotspots, with the Federal Criminal Police Office gaining the legal authority to test and develop new IT security tools. A controversial measure mentioned involves allowing law enforcement to compare images from violent incidents to publicly available photos on social media, enhancing the government’s ability to track suspects using facial recognition technology.
In addition to AI and biometric initiatives, the government plans to centralize data protection by consolidating oversight under the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI). The BfDI will be restructured and renamed to reflect its broader role in managing data use alongside its traditional data protection duties.
The coalition also pledges substantial investments in cloud infrastructure and AI development, with an emphasis on connecting AI systems to robotics for improved technological integration. These investments aim to bolster Germany’s position in the global digital economy while enhancing public sector services.
With these ambitious reforms, the coalition government aims to significantly advance Germany’s digital infrastructure, balancing innovation with heightened security and data protection measures.