The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information

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The BfDI – Prof. Ulrich Kelber

The biography of the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information

Prof. Ulrich Kelber is shown Prof. Ulrich Kelber
Source: Federal Government/Kugler

Our task is to ensure data protection in an increasingly digital world.  By this, we protect your fundamental right to privacy and your right to your own data from access by international corporate groups and also by public authorities. This is the prerequisite for a free democratic society and prevents improper advantages by corporate groups. Furthermore, we ensure that you are granted your right of inspection of records and administrative files from public authorities. In order to achieve all these objectives, I do not work alone, but together with more than 270 highly motivated and highly qualified staff members.

Prof. Ulrich Kelber

Born on 29 March 1968

married, 5 children

  • 1987 to 1993 studied computer science and biology in Bonn,
  • 1993 to 1995 worked as research associate at the GMD Research Centre for Information Technology,
  • 1996 to 2002 knowledge management consultant at an IT company (consultative function from September 2000 to September 2002).
  • 2000 to 2018 Member of the German Bundestag,
    • Won the direct mandate in the city of Bonn in 2002, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017
    • 2005 to 2013 Vice-Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) parliamentary group for the issues of environment, nature conservation and nuclear safety, food, agriculture and consumer protection and sustainability
    • December 2013 to March 2018 Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Justice and Consumer Protection,
  • Since January 2019, Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
  • Since July 2019 honorary professor for data ethics at the Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University)