Data protection prevents the misuse of personal data by third parties.

Technological progress enables ever faster and more extensive collection of personal data. Both public authorities and the private sector process a great deal of information about applicants and their customers. Name, address and birth data are stored as well as information on purchasing behavior or income, for example. It is becoming increasingly difficult for citizens to understand who is storing data, what information is involved and, above all, whether this data processing is permitted. The right to informational self-determination means that every person has the right to determine the disclosure and use of their data.

Public authorities have to process personal data for a variety of tasks. Data protection regulations determine the conditions under which personal data may be processed.

The data protection officers of the respective administrations support them in matters relating to ensuring data protection and compliance with data protection regulations. Furthermore, the data protection officers are also the point of contact for data subjects who have questions about data protection in the respective administration or who wish to point out problems.