Data protection scandal: Deutsche Bahn is in court over DB Navigator!

Data protection scandal: Deutsche Bahn is in court over DB Navigator!

Data protection advocates are accusing Deutsche Bahn of massive violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which are the focus of a lawsuit. The appDB Navigatoris intended to collect excessive user data and forward it to third parties. Loud daily news The app allows access to information such as the number of passengers, the start and destination stations as well as details about children traveling with you. The criticizing organization Digitalcourage has already taken legal action against Deutsche Bahn in 2022 to remedy this situation.

A central point of the indictment is that even if the option “only allow necessary cookies” is selected, “technically unnecessary data” is still collected. This is a clear violation of the GDPR, as the data collected, including on the use of the app, is anonymized, but in a way that allows users to be identified. What is particularly controversial is that the collected data is passed on to large companies such as Google, Adobe and Optimizely.

Digital duty and data protection

TheDB NavigatorThe app is considered the central access to German rail transport and is unavoidable for many travelers. The need for such an app has increased due to the decline in paper-based ticket sales. Digitalcourage even describes the use of the app as “digital compulsion” because travelers often cannot avoid disclosing their data. However, Deutsche Bahn points out that it collects pseudonymized data in order to improve its digitalized offerings and that this data is not used for marketing purposes.

According to the information from WDR As part of the data collection, the frequency of app use and the mobile phone provider of the device are recorded, among other things. Some of this data is also passed on outside the EU, for example in the USA, to up to ten third-party providers. Critics complain that this extensive data transfer without real consent violates the GDPR because user consent is not sufficiently voluntary or informative.

Start of the process and possible consequences

The start of the trial at the Frankfurt Regional Court takes place today. Digitalcourage is hoping for a groundbreaking judgment that will be directed against Deutsche Bahn's alleged data violations. The possible consequences of such a ruling could be far-reaching, and not just for theDB NavigatorApp, but also for other digital offers and their consent dialogs. The process could take many months and increase public awareness of data protection in the digital world.

In summary, it can be said that the debate about data security at Deutsche Bahn raises a central point in the dispute between digital services and the protection of personal data. Data protection advocates are calling for more transparency and better control over users' personal data, while Deutsche Bahn points to the need for this data collection to optimize its services.