Germany’s Justice Minister, Stefanie Hubig, has cautioned against extensive deployments of the Bundeswehr (federal armed forces) within the country for countering drone activity. Speaking to “Welt am Sonntag” Minister Hubig emphasized that drone defense constitutes a core security policy function and that police forces are primarily responsible for responding to drone incidents within national borders. She acknowledged the need for adjustments to existing legal frameworks to address the evolving operational landscape but reiterated that the Bundeswehr’s involvement domestically should remain strictly limited, citing constitutional principles.
Simultaneously, Minister Hubig announced plans for an imminent requirement mandating the storage of IP addresses by internet service providers. She stated the necessity for swift action to combat the proliferation of child pornography online, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem. Minister Hubig explained that IP addresses frequently represent the sole investigative lead available to authorities and current limitations often force premature closure of investigations due to the inability to identify the individuals utilizing those addresses.
The proposed legislation, nearing completion, would obligate providers to retain IP addresses and port numbers for a period of three months. Minister Hubig characterized this measure as proportionate, asserting that the data collected would not facilitate the creation of detailed movement or personality profiles. She further defended the initiative as a necessary and limited intervention into fundamental rights, intended to bolster law enforcement capabilities in addressing serious online offenses.
