The Federal Chancellery and the Federal Press Office have deactivated a fax number that was previously publicly accessible. The number, (030) 18272-2555, which had been listed in the official imprints of both government agencies for many years, can no longer be used to send a fax. These details were completely removed from the agencies’ websites in mid-August.
When questioned by the dts news agency about the decision, a government spokesperson stated that the federal government would not publicly comment on the reasons. They explained that due to “security reasons regarding the concrete design of IT and the communication methods of the federal administration, it is generally not possible to make any statement.”
While some members of the public openly mock any institution that still uses a fax machine, proponents of the technology point to its relatively secure transmission capabilities, noting that interception is not as easy. Furthermore, a fax has held recognized legal validity for decades-a status that is not always guaranteed with emails. Finally, faxes automatically generate a receipt of delivery, which is also legally recognized in court.
However, more and more state institutions view faxes as unnecessary, particularly when they are intended to be the recipient of a document. For instance, the German Bundestag deactivated its last fax machines in 2024, at least within the scope of domestic public communication. Nevertheless, our editorial team learned from informed circles that the Bundestag still maintains the ability to send and receive faxes in Berlin for communication with certain recipients, such as foreign governments.
