Military organization urges opposition to disclosure of service-related information data

German Bundestag Approves New Military Service, Sparking Controversy Over Conscription and Data Privacy

In a move that has sparked debate across Germany, the federal cabinet has recently approved a law for the introduction of a new military service. The new service, which is intended to register young men, has been met with concerns by various political groups, particularly the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen (BSW).

The BSW, in a statement, has expressed worries about a potential "conscription through the back door" for the new military service. Their parliamentary group leader, Niels-Olaf Lüders, has stated that they are against any attempt to introduce conscription under the guise of political sleight of hand. Lüders and other BSW members have been vocal about their opposition to the new service, warning against any attempts to reintroduce compulsory military service.

The coalition of Union and SPD initially focused on voluntarism for the new military service. However, if enough volunteers cannot be secured, a compulsory conscription could be introduced, subject to parliamentary approval. This possibility has further fuelled the concerns of the BSW.

The Bundeswehr has been receiving data from young people who will soon reach the age of majority automatically, including in the state of Brandenburg. This data transfer has been a point of contention for the BSW in the Brandenburg state parliament, who are objecting to the transfer of young people's data for voluntary military service in the German Armed Forces.

Youth politician Melanie Matzies has also joined the chorus of voices warning about the potential risks of data transmission. Matzies has emphasised the importance of ensuring that the data of young people should not be transmitted to the Bundeswehr without their knowledge.

In response to these concerns, the BSW has published a sample text on its website for young people to object to the data transfer. Additionally, the Federal Registration Act allows young people to object to this data transfer, providing a means for them to exercise their rights and protect their freedom from being forced into military service.

The introduction of a mandatory military service in the German Bundestag was last discussed in 2025, with debates ongoing around a new service model that includes voluntary service but leaves open the possibility of reactivating conscription depending on future needs, starting from 2027. As the debate continues, it is clear that the BSW will continue to advocate for the rights of young people and push for transparency and voluntarism in the new military service.