# Legal dispute between NOYB and Schufa over data privacy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-dispute-between-noyb-and-schufa-over-data-privacy > Updated: 2026-09-10T07:50:48.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2. The European privacy organization NOYB has initiated legal challenges against the German credit agency Schufa regarding its data retention practices. The dispute focuses on a purported ‘shadow database’ that allegedly stores historical financial information—such as old loans, foreclosures, and private insolvencies—for up to ten years, potentially exceeding legally required deletion periods. NOYB claims Schufa has violated Article 15 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by failing to disclose this archived data to consumers. The organization is seeking an injunction to halt the storage and is preparing for a representative action for damages that could affect up to 69 million people. Max Schrems, chairman of NOYB, criticized the agency, suggesting it acts as if it is “above European law.” Schufa has rejected these allegations, maintaining that its data archives are legal and necessary for regulatory documentation, technical optimization, and the development of reliable credit scoring models. The company’s CEO, Tanja Birkholz, stated that Schufa does not operate a shadow database but follows storage periods agreed upon with data protection authorities. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Schufa faces potential lawsuit from NOYB over historical data storage NOYB plans to sue Schufa over allegations that the credit agency maintains a “shadow database” of historical data that should have been deleted under privacy laws. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/schufa-faces-potential-lawsuit-from-noyb-over-historical-data-storage ### 2026-08-26: Schufa faces potential class-action lawsuit over historical data storage Privacy group NOYB is preparing a class-action lawsuit against Schufa over its ‘shadow database,’ alleging the credit agency illegally stores and withholds historical financial data from consumers. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/schufa-faces-potential-class-action-lawsuit-from-noyb-over-data-retention --- Cite as: Legal dispute between NOYB and Schufa over data privacy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-dispute-between-noyb-and-schufa-over-data-privacy