Germany Cabinet deliberates new law against digital violence

The German Federal Cabinet is deliberating a new legislative package aimed at combating digital violence, proposed by Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig. The draft law introduces several new criminal offenses to enhance protection against digital abuse and identity theft.

Key provisions include criminalizing the production and distribution of sexualized deepfakes, where AI is used to depict real individuals in sexual contexts. The law also targets digital voyeurism, making it illegal to film or photograph intimate body parts—such as genitals, buttocks, or female breasts—without consent, even if the subjects are clothed, provided the intent is sexualized.

Furthermore, the legislation seeks to close existing legal gaps regarding sexual violence by criminalizing the possession, unauthorized access, and streaming of real rape videos. Penalties for these offenses could include up to two or three years of imprisonment. The package also addresses cyberstalking, specifically targeting the unauthorized use of GPS trackers to monitor individuals.