Freedom of information under international pressure – The future of freedom of information is digital

Digital processes, low-threshold access to information, and faster processing of requests: At the ICIC in Berlin, Prof. Dr. Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider will present her vision for the future of freedom of information in Germany. At the beginning of the legislative period, the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) is seeking to work with the Federal Government to set the course for a modern, efficient, and future-oriented freedom of information policy – and is calling for dialogue to this end.

"The protection and further development of freedom of information are essential for an open and democratic society. We are committed to establishing modern, digital processes to facilitate access to information for all citizens," says Prof. Specht-Riemenschneider.

It is up to us to set the framework for a transparent, participatory and open society – and the modernisation of the administration is an excellent opportunity to do so. Prof. Dr. Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider

According to Prof. Specht-Riemenschneider, this requires the complete and, of course, data protection-compliant digitization of administrative files and processes in order to increase the efficiency and transparency of the federal administration in responding to freedom of information requests. 

In addition, the development and deployment of data protection-compliant AI technology is needed to support administrative staff in order to reduce costs and speed up the processing of applications. AI models can assist in analysing large amounts of text and flagging sensitive information. However, employees must continue to carefully review which information is released in order to meet the right to obtain government information. The decision on release must not be made solely by AI. 

Freedom of information is to be integrated centrally as an integral part of the state modernization agenda in order to rethink procedures and make them fit for the future. The BfDI is optimistic that joint efforts and innovative approaches can strengthen freedom of information in Germany. Prof. Specht-Riemenschneider also offers advice on the feasibility of processes to the entire federal administration. The Federal Commissioner offers early, solution-oriented support for the reform of the Freedom of Information Act (IFG), which was agreed upon in the coalition agreement and is intended to provide "added value for citizens and the administration." 

The global situation shows that freedom of information is increasingly coming under pressure. This is also clearly noticeable in Germany: The abolition of the Freedom of Information Act (IFG), which was briefly discussed during the coalition negotiations, sparked widespread resistance from journalists, civil society, politics, and the Conference of Freedom of Information Commissioners in Germany. The BfDI explicitly advocated for freedom of information in this debate. It is good that this important foundation for government transparency and open communication is not being abolished, but rather modernized and thus strengthened in the context of government reforms.