Moritz Hennemann becomes Germany’s Federal Data Protection Commissioner

Moritz Hennemann has officially assumed his role as the new Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) in Germany. The 41-year-old legal scholar was appointed by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on September 29, following his election by the Bundestag in June.

Hennemann succeeds Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, who stepped down due to health reasons. During his tenure, Hennemann’s academic and judicial positions, including his roles at the University of Freiburg and as a judge at the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe, will be suspended.

A legal expert with experience at institutions such as Harvard Law School, Hennemann stated that his goal is to protect both data privacy and freedom of information to support individual rights and Germany’s digital sovereignty. He is expected to present his strategic priorities for the office on October 6.