Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) and State Police Chief Michael Schwald have given the state parliament more information on the massive increase in investigations into child pornography. At the beginning of the week, Herrmann presented the crime statistics for 2021, which show a “disproportionate decrease” in the number of cases overall – but an enormous increase in child pornography.
5070 cases in Bavaria, that is an increase of 84 percent compared to the previous year. Herrmann explained the statistics to the interior committee on Wednesday. Many MEPs asked how the increase came about and what was being done about it.
Schwald essentially identified two causes: On the one hand, an organization from the USA that researches uploads of child pornography sends tips to the Federal Criminal Police Office and then to the Free State. “These numbers have increased tremendously.” On the other hand, there is the trend of “schoolyard child pornography” – where young people spread representations “consciously or unconsciously” in chat groups. This is where a police prevention project comes in: “Your smartphone, your decision.” Work areas on child pornography are also planned in all praesidia.
Concerns about new police software
The committee also dealt with the new police software from the controversial US group Palantir, which also works for American secret services. The LKA recently announced that the contract for a cross-procedural analysis system had gone to Palantir. It is intended to link and process existing information from databases and “discover network of relationships”; intended for serious crime.
The state data protection officer, among others, has concerns. The FDP called for the project to be stopped, and a motion by the government factions CSU and FW demanded that open questions be clarified before it was introduced. Herrmann announced that an independent German research institute would examine the software. If a “hidden back door” were discovered, for example to the data flow to the USA, the Free State could withdraw from the contract. If a new legal situation is necessary for the operation, this will be anchored in the Police Tasks Act (PAG).
Alexander Muthmann (FDP) complained that problems would only be clarified after the bid had been accepted, “turning the situation upside down”. Katharina Schulze (Greens) spoke of a “dark day for data protection”. Both consider new digital methods for the police to be useful. Likewise Horst Arnold (SPD), who wants to discuss “without foaming at the mouth” despite concerns. Alfred Grob (CSU), himself a police officer, noted that not every patrol officer quickly makes queries with the system; that is an “absolute expert application”. The entire committee agreed to the CSU-FW application. Now there should be said test and a debate without time pressure.