Germany’s legal demands for user data and the Digital Services Act

26.2.2025

Question for written answer  E-000850/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Anderson (ESN)

Recent reports indicate that Germany submits the highest number of legal demands for user data to X (formerly Twitter) within the European Union, with approximately 87 % of these requests targeting specific users.[1]

This raises concerns about the balance between law enforcement objectives and the protection of individual privacy rights under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

In this context, I seek clarification on the following points:

• 1.How does the Commission assess Germany’s volume of legal demands for user data in relation to other Member States, and what measures are in place to ensure that such requests comply with the DSA’s provisions on user privacy and data protection?
• 2.What mechanisms does the Commission employ to monitor and evaluate Member States’ adherence to the DSA, particularly concerning the proportionality and justification of legal demands for user data?
• 3.Has the Commission identified any potential conflicts between national legal frameworks and the DSA regarding user data requests, and if so, what steps are being taken to address these discrepancies and uphold uniform standards across the EU?

Submitted: 26.2.2025

• [1] https://x.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1891593848771707233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw.