Hamburg Privacy Office Reports on 2024 Data Protection Activities
The Hamburg Commission for Data Protection and Freedom of Information published a report Tuesday on its 2024 data protection activities.
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Among other actions, the watchdog imposed fines of $1.3 million (1.2 million euros), received more than 4,000 complaints, and handled many cases with AI implications, the commission said. Complaints, consultations and data breaches hit new heights in 2024: There were 2,607 appeals compared to the previous year's 2,537. Data breach notifications rose from 925 to 955.
The office completed 20 fine procedures in 2024, often involving cases where data was retained too long through carelessness or negligent willfulness, it said.
"Hamburg is moving forward with data protection-friendly AI," said Commissioner Thomas Fuch. Mobile AI cameras, expansion of areas with camera surveillance, and drone use during demonstrations mean the technological opportunities to identify people in public spaces in real time are becoming more diverse, he added. But it's clear that the state must preserve borders and that the right to "informational self-determination is a right of freedom."