Germany government faces criticism over IFG reform limiting public information

The ruling coalition in Germany has introduced a package of changes to the Information Freedom Act (IFG). The draft would introduce fees for requests, require a “legitimate interest” claim, restrict requests to individuals – potentially only German or EU residents – and allow the systematic redaction of civil‑servant names on security grounds. The government argues the reforms are needed to protect officials from threats and to save up to €10 billion in public spending.

Critics, including former IFG commissioners and civil‑society groups such as Greenpeace, Transparency International and Amnesty International, say the justification is unfounded. A Stern inquiry found no ministry could cite a case of staff endangerment, with statements like “Dem Auswärtigen Amt sind keine Fälle im Sinne der Fragestellung bekannt.” Legal experts in Hamburg warned that “this is, in the end, the death of the right to information without requirements.” Even members of the governing SPD have voiced opposition, calling the measures a “great setback” for citizen rights.