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==Class action against data retention==
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==Collective constitutional complaint against data retention==
  
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Currently, the Federal Ministry of Justice promotes a bill to implement data retention in Germany. In case of enacting this law, we are going to make use of a constitutional complaint, because the enforcement of complete storage of traffic data would offend against secrecy of telecommunications and the basic right of informational self-determination.
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On November 9, 2007, the German parliament passed a draft law that includes the implementation of data retention in Germany. The law, passed with the votes of the conservative Christan Democratic Union and the center-left Social Democratic Party, is set to take effect at the beginning of 2008, pending only on the largely formal confirmation by the German President. If the law is enacted, we will lodge a constitutional complaint at the Federal Constitution Court, since mandatory and total recording of our telecommunication patterns are an egregious violation of constitutional rights, notably infringing on the privacy of telecommunications and the basic right to Informational Self-determination.
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Note: Registrations and powers of attorney will only be accepted if postmarked or submitted online before December 24, 2007.
  
 
==Join==  
 
==Join==  
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street number and name (required):
 
street number and name (required):
  
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postcode, town (required):
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postcode, city (required):
  
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e-mail adress (required):
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e-mail address (required):
  
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Public list of the complainants
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Public list of complainants
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I agree with publishing my name and my hometown in the internet.  
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I consent to having my name and hometown published on the Internet.  
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Please mention me anonymized like "C. H. from 1xxxx".
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Please mention me anonymized as in "C. H. of 1xxxx".
  
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How are you effected by data retention? This information will be forwarded to the Federal Constitutional Court.
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How are you affected by data retention? This information will be forwarded to the Federal Constitutional Court.
  
 
landline
 
landline
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mobile network
 
mobile network
 
  I use a mobile phone network.
 
  I use a mobile phone network.
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  I made a contract for mobile network registered in my own name.
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  I am subscribing to a mobile phone plan in my own name.
 
e-Mail
 
e-Mail
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  I use e-mail
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  I use e-mail.
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  I registered an e-mail account in my own name.
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  I have an e-mail account registered in my own name.
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internet
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Internet
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  I am an internet user.
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  I am an Internet user.
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  I made a contract for internet access (e.g. flat-rate) registered in my own name.
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  I have an Internet access subscription (e.g. flat rate) in my own name.
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internet telephony
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Internet telephony
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  I use internet telephony (voice over IP).
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  I use Internet telephony (voice over IP).
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  I made a contract for internet telephony registered in my own name.
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  I have an Internet telephony subscription in my own name.
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anonymisation services
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anonymization services
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  I use anonymisation services.
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  I use anonymization services.
 
professions where confidence is required
 
professions where confidence is required
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  I am chaplain, lawyer, notary, auditor, tax consultant, doctor, dentist, psychotherapist, pharmacist, pregnancy counselor, substance abuse counselor, delegate or journalist and I have to use telecommunication vocationally.
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  I am a priest, lawyer, notary, auditor, tax consultant, doctor, dentist, psychotherapist, pharmacist, pregnancy counselor, substance abuse counselor, member of parliament, or journalist and I am using telecommunication professionally.
 
  In this case, please give your profession:
 
  In this case, please give your profession:
 
provider of telecommunication services:
 
provider of telecommunication services:
 
  I am a provider of landline or mobile network services.
 
  I am a provider of landline or mobile network services.
 
  I am a provider of e-mail services.
 
  I am a provider of e-mail services.
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  I am an internet service provider (ISP).
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  I am an Internet service provider (ISP).
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  I am a provider of internet telephony (voice over IP) services.
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  I am a provider of Internet telephony (voice over IP) services.
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  I am a provider of anonymisation services.
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  I am a provider of anonymization services.
 
  please give further information:
 
  please give further information:
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The information you provided will only be used to carry out the complaints procedure. It will NOT be stored, disclosed or used for any other purpose.
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The information you provide will only be used to carry out the complaint. It will not be stored, disclosed or used for any other purpose.
  
 
encrypted transmission (SSL)
 
encrypted transmission (SSL)
  
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Teilnahmeformular zum Ausdrucken
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printable participation form
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Fragen und Antworten
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Was genau hat es mit der Vorratsdatenspeicherung auf sich?
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Frequently asked questions
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What exactly is data retention?
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Information and links regarding data retention can be found in our 5-minute-info.
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What exactly is the contents of the constitutional complaint?
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The current draft of the complaint is available here. The following violations of basic rights are being objected to: First, complete retention of connection data violates the rights of the communicating individuals accorded by the following parts of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz, GG): Article 10(1) variant 3 GG (Privacy of telecommunication), Art. 2(1) GG, Art. 1(1) GG (Right to informational self-determination), Art. 5(1) sentence 1, main clause 1 GG (freedom of expression), Art. 5(1) sentence 1 main clause 2 GG (freedom of information), Art. 5(1), sentence 2, variant 2 GG (freedom of broadcasting). In comparison to its severe consequences and dangers, the anticipated benefits of data retention are disproportionately small. Second, the complete storage of connection data also violates the rights of companies and organisations obligated to record and store the data (Art. 12(1) GG (occupational freedom)).  Third, complete retention of connection data violates the rights of communicating individuals and the rights of companies and organisations obligated to record and store the data granted in Art. 3(1) GG (equality before the law).
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Who can join the constitutional complaint?
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Everybody who is affected by the proposed data retention in Germany. This includes all individuals using the services of a German telecommunications provider (landline, mobile phone, e-mail and Internet services), as well as telecommunications providers themselves.
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Minors need to have a parent co-sign the power of attorney.
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What happens when I register?
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After you have filled in the above form, a blank template for a power of attorney will be displayed. Please fill in and sign this form and send it by postal mail to attorney Meinhard Starostik in Berlin. With your signature you authorize attorney Starostik to represent you in the case at the Federal Constitutional Court.
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Please refrain from calling attorney Starostik by phone, as the number of complainants is too large for him to answer all inquiries personally. If you have any questions, you are welcome to ask them by sending us an e-mail. A TV interview with attorney Starostik about the constitutional complaint against data retention is available here.
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Can I register via an SSL connection?
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Registration via SSL (https) is available here.
  
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Informationen und Links zum Thema Vorratsdatenspeicherung finden Sie in unserer 5-Minuten-Info.
 
  
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Was genau ist der Inhalt der Verfassungsbeschwerde?
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How much will it cost me to participate?
  
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Der aktuelle Entwurf der Beschwerdeschrift ist hier abrufbar. Die folgenden Grundrechtsverstöße werden gerügt: Erstens verstößt eine generelle Verkehrsdatenspeicherung gegen die Rechte der an den Kommunikationsvorgängen Beteiligten aus Art. 10 Abs. 1 Var. 3 GG (Fernmeldegeheimnis) oder den Art. 2 Abs. 1, 1 Abs. 1 GG (Recht auf informationelle Selbstbestimmung), aus Art. 5 Abs. 1 S. 1 Hs. 1 GG (Meinungsfreiheit), Art. 5 Abs. 1 S. 1 Hs. 2 GG (Informationsfreiheit) und Art. 5 Abs. 1 S. 2 Var. 2 GG (Rundfunkfreiheit). Im Vergleich zu den einschneidenden Folgen und Gefahren einer Vorratsspeicherung ist ihr zu erwartender Nutzen unverhältnismäßig gering. Zum Zweiten verstößt eine generelle Verkehrsdatenspeicherung gegen die Rechte der zur Durchführung der Speicherung verpflichteten Unternehmen und Organisationen aus Art. 12 Abs. 1 GG (Berufsfreiheit). Drittens verletzt eine generelle Verkehrsdatenspeicherung die Rechte der Kommunizierenden und die Rechte der zur Durchführung der Speicherung verpflichteten Unternehmen und Organisationen aus Art. 3 Abs. 1 GG (Gleichbehandlungsgebot).
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Nothing. Regardless of the verdict, the lawsuit and your representation in court are free of charge. Therefore, no court fees, attorneys' fees, or other expenses are incurred. This holds even if the constitutional complaint is not successful.
  
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Wer kann sich der Verfassungsbeschwerde anschließen?
 
  
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Der Verfassungsbeschwerde kann sich jeder anschließen, der von der geplanten Vorratsdatenspeicherung in Deutschland betroffen ist. Dazu zählen Personen, die einen deutschen Telekommunikationsanbieter nutzen (Telefon, Handy, E-Mail oder Internetzugang), und deutsche Telekommunikationsanbieter selbst.
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Why does the power of attorney not mention that participation is free?
  
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Bei Minderjährigen muss die Vollmacht auch von den Erziehungsberechtigten unterschrieben werden.  
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Because the agreement about the attorney's fee is independent of the power of attorney. The original document granting the power of attorney will be presented to the court, but the agreement about the fee is none of the court's business.
  
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Was geschieht nach meiner Registrierung?
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To remove any doubts, attorney Starostik published the following statement on his homepage: "Under no circumstances will I assert a financial claim based on the recently submitted powers of attorney against signatories."
  
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Nach Ihrer Registrierung über das oben dargestellte Formular wird ein Vollmachtsvordruck angezeigt. Diesen Vordruck senden Sie bitte ausgefüllt und unterschrieben per Post an den Berliner Rechtsanwalt Meinhard Starostik. Mit Ihrer Unterschrift bevollmächtigen Sie Rechtsanwalt Starostik, Sie in dem Verfahren vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht zu vertreten.
 
  
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Bitte sehen Sie von telefonischen Anfragen an Rechtsanwalt Starostik ab. Die Anzahl von Beschwerdeführern ist zu groß als dass sie die telefonische Beantwortung von Anfragen zulassen würde. Fragen können Sie gerne per E-Mail stellenThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ein Fernsehinterview mit Rechtsanwalt Starostik über die Verfassungsbeschwerde gegen die Vorratsdatenspeicherung sehen Sie hier.
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Is it possible to point out that it's free on the power of attorney?
  
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Ist die Registrierung über eine SSL-Verbindung möglich?
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This shouldn't be done for the reasons mentioned above. However, you could attach a separate sheet.
  
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Die Registrierung über eine SSL-Verbindung (https) ist hier möglich.
 
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Welche Kosten entstehen mir?
 
  
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Das Gerichtsverfahren und Ihre Vertretung vor Gericht ist für Sie kostenfrei. Ihnen entstehen also keinerlei Gerichts-, Anwalts- oder sonstige Kosten. Dies gilt auch dann, wenn die Verfassungsbeschwerde keinen Erfolg haben sollte.
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What exactly does the power of attorney say?
  
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Warum ist die Kostenfreiheit nicht noch einmal in der Vollmacht erwähnt?
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With your signature on the power of attorney you authorize attorney Starostik to represent you in the Federal Constitutional Court. The power of attorney template is a standard form which is used every time an attorney is hired.
  
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Weil die Vereinbarung über die Anwaltsvergütung mit der Vollmacht nichts zu tun hat. Die Vollmacht wird im Original dem Gericht vorgelegt, und die Vereinbarung hinsichtlich der
 
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Vergütung geht das Gericht nichts an.
 
  
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Um alle Zweifel auszuräumen, hat Herr Rechtsanwalt Starostik die folgende Bestätigung auf seiner Homepage veröffentlicht: "In keinem Falle werde ich wegen der jetzt eingereichten Vollmachten Kosten gegenüber den Vollmachtgebern geltend machen."
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What purpose does the authorization to receive payment, as pointed out in the power of attorney, have?
  
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Könnte man diese Kostenfreiheit auf der Vollmacht klarstellen?
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If, for example, the Federal Republic of Germany is sentenced to carry the expenses of the lawsuit, the authorization to receive payment allows attorney Starostik to collect the money in place of the complainants.
  
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Auf der Vollmachtsurkunde selbst sollte dies aus den oben genannten Gründen nicht geschehen. Man kann aber z.B. ein gesondertes Blatt anheften.
 
  
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Was genau sagt die Vollmacht aus?
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I don't have the power of attorney template anymore, where can I get a copy?
  
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Mit Ihrer Unterschrift unter die Vollmacht bevollmächtigen Sie Rechtsanwalt Starostik, Sie in dem Verfahren vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht zu vertreten. Bei dem Vollmachtsvordruck handelt es sich um ein Standardformular, wie es bei jeder Beauftragung eines Anwalts unterschreiben wird.
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If you already registered by using the above online form, you can download the power of attorney template here.  
  
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Was bedeutet die in dem Vollmachtsformular vorgesehene Geldempfangsvollmacht?
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Please note: In order for the power of attorney to be useful, you have to register via the online form. This is because the information about how you are effected by data retention has to be presented to the Federal Constitutional Court.
  
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Wenn z.B. die Bundesrepublik Deutschland verurteilt wird, die Kosten des Verfahrens zu tragen, dann ist Rechtsanwalt Starostik berechtigt, das Geld für die Beschwerdeführer in Empfang zu nehmen.
 
  
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Ich habe den Vollmachtsvordruck nicht mehr, wo finde ich ihn?
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Why can't I open the power of attorney template?
  
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Wenn Sie sich schon über das oben aufgeführte Online-Anmeldeformular registriert haben, können Sie den Vollmachtsvordruck hier erneut herunter laden.  
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If you are having difficulties opening the PDF version of the template, open the plain text version with a text editor instead.
  
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Bitte beachten Sie: Das Ausfüllen und Absenden dieses Vollmachtsvordrucks macht nur Sinn, wenn Sie sich zuvor über das Online-Anmeldeformular auf dieser Seite registriert haben. Die in dem Online-Anmeldeformular abgefragten Angaben über Ihre Betroffenheit müssen dem Bundesverfassungsgericht mitgeteilt werden.
 
  
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Wieso kann ich den Vollmachtsvordruck nicht anzeigen oder öffnen?
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Is there a printable version of the registration form?
  
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Wenn Sie Schwierigkeiten haben, das Vollmachtsformular im pdf-Format zu öffnen, öffnen Sie stattdessen die Textversion mit Ihrem Textverarbeitungsprogramm.
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Yes, with an instruction sheet attached. [download] Copies may be given out to anyone.
  
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Gibt es auch ein Registrierungsformular zum Ausdrucken?
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Please note that with form, the information required for registration is collected and the power of attorney is issued. It's not necessary to register online if you use this form.
  
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Es gibt auch ein Registrierungsformular zum Ausdrucken (Download) sowie ein Merkblatt mit Erläuterungen dazu. Das Druckformular kann an beliebig viele Personen verteilt werden.
 
  
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In dem Registrierungsformular zum Ausdrucken werden die zur Registrierung erforderlichen Daten abgefragt und gleichzeitig die erforderliche Vollmacht erteilt. Eine Online-Registrierung ist bei Verwendung dieses Formulars nicht erforderlich.
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When will the constitutional complaint be filed?
  
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Wann wird die Verfassungsbeschwerde eingereicht?
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The constitutional complaint will be filed as soon as the law for the introduction of data retention has been published in the Federal Register (Bundesgesetzblatt). The Bundesrat is still to comment on the legislation. After that the German president will decide whether he signs the act into law.
  
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Eingereicht wird die Verfassungsbeschwerde, wenn und sobald das Gesetz zur Einführung der Vorratsdatenspeicherung verabschiedet wird. Der Bundestag soll im Herbst 2007 über den Gesetzentwurf entscheiden.
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The constitutional complaint includes a request for temporary suspension of data retention until the Federal Constitutional Court comes to a decision. This is intended to block the law from ever taking effect.
  
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Mit der Verfassungsbeschwerde verbunden ist ein Antrag auf einstweilige Aussetzung der Vorratsdatenspeicherung bis zur Entscheidung des Bundesverfassungsgerichts. Dadurch soll schon das Inkrafttreten der Vorratsdatenspeicherung verhindert werden.
 
  
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Ist eine Sammelklage in Deutschland zulässig?
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Does German law permit a class-action lawsuit?
  
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Juristisch gesehen handelt es sich nicht um eine Sammelklage, sondern um eine "normale" Verfassungsbeschwerde, nur dass sie von vielen Personen gemeinsam erhoben wird. Das ist zulässig und geschieht vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht oft, z.B. auch bei der Verfassungsbeschwerde gegen den großen Lauschangriff.
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De jure, this is not a class-action lawsuit but an 'ordinary' constitutional complaint, brought to court collectively by a great number of individuals. This is legal and has numerous precedents of cases before the Federal Constitutional Court. An example is the constitutional complaint against the expansion of electronic surveillance (großer Lauschangriff).
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Wieviele Personen haben sich als Teilnehmer an der Verfassungsbeschwerde registriert?
 
  
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Bisher haben sich schon über 20.000 Personen als Teilnehmer an der geplanten Verfassungsbeschwerde registriert. Davon haben über 6.000 Personen bereits den unterschriebenen Vollmachtsvordruck eingereicht (Stand 01.10.2007).
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How many people have signed up as participants in the constitutional complaint?
  
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Wo finde ich die öffentliche Liste der Beschwerdeführer/innen?
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As of November 21, 2007, more than 20,000 individuals have sent in a signed power of attorney.
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Die öffentliche Liste der Beschwerdeführer/innen finden Sie hier.
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Where can I find a public list of all complainants?
  
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Inwiefern ist eine große Beteiligung an der Verfassungsbeschwerde nützlich?
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You can find a public list of complainants here.
  
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Juristisch ist es ohne Bedeutung, ob eine Person Verfassungsbeschwerde erhebt oder 10.000 Menschen. Politisch ist eine große Beteiligung dagegen ein deutliches Signal an die Verantwortlichen, dass die Bürgerinnen und Bürger nicht akzeptieren, dass die Mehrheit der Abgeordneten des Bundestages ein verfassungswidriges Gesetz verabschiedet, das Elemente eines totalitären Überwachungsstaates beinhaltet.
 
  
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Aus unserer Pressemitteilung:
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Why is a great number of participants useful?
  
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    Der Aufruf zur Erhebung einer Massenverfassungsbeschwerde ist in der deutschen Geschichte einmalig. "Die von der Bundesregierung geplante Totalprotokollierung der Telekommunikation der gesamten Bevölkerung ist ebenfalls einzigartig", begründet der Politikwissenschaftler Ralf Bendrath vom Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung die Aktion. "Frau Zypries will vorsorglich Informationen über unsere Telefonate, Bewegungen und Internetnutzung sammeln lassen für den Fall, dass wir zu Verbrechern werden. Wir sammeln vorsorglich Beschwerdeführer für den Fall, dass SPD und Union dieses verfassungswidrige Vorhaben tatsächlich umsetzen sollten. Wenn die Koalition unzählige Menschen bespitzeln lassen will, dann werden sich auch unzählige Menschen in Karlsruhe dagegen zur Wehr setzen."
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Legally, it doesn't make any difference whether one individual or 20,000 individuals lodge a constitutional complaint. Politically, however, a huge participation is a strong signal that citizens will not accept the majority of the parliament passing an unconstitutional law which contains elements of a totalitarian surveillance state.  
  
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Welche Presseberichterstattung gab es über die Aktion?
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From our press release:
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  The call to lodge a massive class-action-style constitutional complaint is unique in German history. "The wholesale recording of all telecommunication is unique as well," argues political scientist Ralf Bendrath of the civil-liberties group Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung. "Just in case, Ms. Zypries wants to have information about our phone calls, movements, and Internet usage collected -- for the eventuality that we turn into criminals. We are recruiting complainants in case that the Social Democratic Party and the Christian Democratic Union really want to go ahead with their unconstitutional plan. If the coalition intends to spy on countless people, then likewise countless people will fight this in Karlsruhe."
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What media reports where there about the constitutional complaint?
  
 
     * dpa-Meldung: Bürgerrechtler aktiv gegen Vorratsdatenspeicherung (01.08.2007)
 
     * dpa-Meldung: Bürgerrechtler aktiv gegen Vorratsdatenspeicherung (01.08.2007)
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     * Heise Online: Massenklage gegen die Vorratsdatenspeicherung in Karlsruhe [Update] (22.11.2006)  
 
     * Heise Online: Massenklage gegen die Vorratsdatenspeicherung in Karlsruhe [Update] (22.11.2006)  
  
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Genügt es, wenn ich mich nur über das Online-Anmeldeformular registriere?
 
  
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Nein, die schriftliche Vollmacht muss dem Bundesverfassungsgericht vorgelegt werden.
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Is it sufficient if I register only online?
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No, the original power of attorney must be presented to the Federal Constitutional Court.
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Is it sufficient if I just hand in the power of attorney?
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No, we need the information we're asking about in the registration form to pass it on to the Federal Constitutional Court.
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However, it is sufficient to send in the combined registration form on paper. In that case it is not necessary to register online.
  
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Genügt es, wenn ich nur eine Vollmacht einreiche?
 
  
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Nein. Wir benötigen die im Anmeldeformular abgefragten Angaben, um sie dem Bundesverfassungsgericht mitzuteilen.
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Can I fax the power of attorney?
  
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Wenn Sie das kombinierte Registrierungsformular zum Ausdrucken einreichen, genügt dies. Eine Registrierung über das Online-Anmeldeformular ist bei Verwendung des Druckformulars nicht erforderlich.
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No, an original power of attorney must be presented to the Federal Constitutional Court.
  
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Kann ich die Vollmacht auch per Fax absenden?
 
  
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Nein, eine Original unterschriebene Vollmacht muss dem Bundesverfassungsgericht vorgelegt werden.
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May I include several forms in one envelope?
  
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Ist es möglich, mehrere Formulare in einem Briefumschlag zu versenden?
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Yes, that's fine.
  
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Ja, das ist möglich.
 
  
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Bis wann muss die Vollmacht eingegangen sein? Gibt es eine Abgabefrist?
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By what date do I have to send in the power of attorney? Is there a deadline?
  
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Derzeit ist ein Endzeitpunkt für neue Registrierungen oder für die Annahme von Vollmachten nicht vorgesehen. Auf Nummer sicher gehen Sie allerdings, wenn Sie Ihre Vollmacht möglichst bald einreichen.
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Registration forms and powers of attorney must be submitted or postmarked, respectively, by December 24, 2007.
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Warum habe ich noch keine Eingangsbestätigung von Rechtsanwalt Starostik erhalten?
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Why didn't I receive a response by attorney Starostik acknowledging the receipt of my power of attorney?  
  
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Eine Eingangsbestätigung per Post ist wegen der vielen Beschwerdeführer/innen zurzeit leider nicht möglich. Sie werden per E-Mail über den jeweiligen Stand des Verfahrens unterrichtet, sobald der Bundestag über den Gesetzentwurf entschieden hat. Zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt ist noch offen, ob die verfassungswidrige Vorratsdatenspeicherung tatsächlich beschlossen wird.
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Due to the large number of complainants it is currently not possible to issue individual receipts. Starting with the submission of the complaint, you will be kept up-to-date about the complaints process via e-mail.
  
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Ist meine Vollmacht eingegangen?
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After the law has been passed, we will notify participants who registered but for which we haven't received a power of attorney.
  
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Diese Frage kann wegen der vielen Beschwerdeführer/innen zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt leider nicht beantwortet werden. Falls das Gesetz beschlossen wird, werden die Beschwerdeführer/innen per E-Mail benachrichtigt. Wenn für einen registrierten Teilnehmer keine Vollmacht vorliegt, wird er davon ebenfalls per E-Mail benachrichtigt werden, jedoch erst nach der Entscheidung des Bundestags.
 
  
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Meine Anschrift hat sich geändert - was tun?
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My address has changed. What now?
  
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Wenn sich Ihre Postanschrift geändert hat, registrieren Sie sich bitte erneut und geben Sie dabei Ihre aktuelle Anschrift an, gefolgt von der ehemaligen Anschrift (z.B. "Hauptstraße 1 (ehemals: Dorfstraße 2), 11111 Berlin (ehemals: 22222 Oberdorf)"). Bitte tragen Sie möglichst die selbe E-Mail-Adresse ein wie bei Ihrer ersten Registrierung. Anschließend teilenThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Sie uns bitte per E-Mail mit, dass Sie Ihre Anschrift aktualisiert haben und welche Anschrift oder E-Mail-Adresse Sie bei der Registrierung angegeben haben. Ein neues Vollmachtsformular brauchen Sie nicht abzusenden, auch wenn auf dem alten Formular noch Ihre alte Anschrift steht.
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If your postal address changed, please register again, giving your new address followed by your old address (e.g. "1 Main St. (formerly: 850 2nd St.); Houston, TX 77037 (formerly: New Orleans, LA 70125; USA (formerly: USA)"). Please enter the same e-mail address as in your first registration if possible. Finally, please notify us by e-mail that you updated your information and which e-mail address you entered when registering. It is not necessary to send in another power of attorney.  
  
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Wie kann ich meine sonstigen Kontaktdaten oder andere Angaben nachträglich ändern?
 
  
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Wenn sich Ihre Angaben geändert haben oder wenn Sie aus der öffentlichen Liste der Beschwerdeführer entfernt werden möchten, registrieren Sie sich bitte erneut und geben Sie dabei Ihre aktuellen Daten an. Bitte tragen Sie möglichst die selbe E-Mail-Adresse ein wie bei Ihrer ersten Registrierung. Anschließend teilenThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Sie uns bitte per E-Mail mit, dass Sie Ihre Daten aktualisiert haben und welche Anschrift oder E-Mail-Adresse Sie bei der Registrierung angegeben haben. Ein neues Vollmachtsformular brauchen Sie nicht abzusenden.
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How can I change my contact information or any other data besides my address?
  
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Warum muss ich eine E-Mail-Adresse angeben?
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If your information has changed or you would like to be remove from the public list of complainants, please register again and enter your current information.  Please use the same e-mail address as in your first registration if possible. Finally, please notify us by e-mail that you updated your information and which e-mail address or postal address you entered when registering. It is not necessary to send in another power of attorney.
  
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Die E-Mail-Adresse wird benötigt, um die Beschwerdeführer/innen über den jeweiligen Stand des Verfahrens zu benachrichtigen. Eine Benachrichtigung per Post ist wegen der vielen Beschwerdeführer/innen leider nicht möglich. Ihre E-Mail-Adresse wird nur zur Durchführung des Beschwerdeverfahrens verwendet. Es erfolgt keine Speicherung, Weitergabe oder Nutzung zu anderen Zwecken.
 
  
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Was geschieht mit meinen Daten?
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Why do I have to provide an e-mail address?
  
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Ihre Angaben werden nur zur Durchführung des Beschwerdeverfahrens verwendet. Es erfolgt keine Speicherung, Weitergabe oder Nutzung der Daten zu anderen Zwecken. Mit Ihrem Einverständnis nehmen wir Ihren Namen und Ihren Wohnort in die Liste der Beschwerdeführer/innen im Internet auf.
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The e-mail address is necessary to update the complainants about the progress of the complaint. Notifications by postal mail are impossible due to the large number of complainants. Your e-mail address is used exclusively to carry out the complaint process. It will not be stored, disclosed, or used for other purposes.
  
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Any further questions?
 
  
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Weitere Fragen können Sie gerne per E-Mail stellen This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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How is my information used?
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Direkter Link zu dieser Seite
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The information you provide is used exclusively to carry out the complaint process. It will not be stored, disclosed, or used for other purposes. With your permission, we include your name and hometown in the list of complainants published on the Internet.
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Further questions?
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Please feel free to ask any remaining questions by e-mail.
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Direct link to this page
  
 
http://verfassungsbeschwerde.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de
 
http://verfassungsbeschwerde.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de
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[[Kategorie:English]]
 
[[Kategorie:English]]

Aktuelle Version vom 14. Dezember 2007, 01:36 Uhr

Collective constitutional complaint against data retention

On November 9, 2007, the German parliament passed a draft law that includes the implementation of data retention in Germany. The law, passed with the votes of the conservative Christan Democratic Union and the center-left Social Democratic Party, is set to take effect at the beginning of 2008, pending only on the largely formal confirmation by the German President. If the law is enacted, we will lodge a constitutional complaint at the Federal Constitution Court, since mandatory and total recording of our telecommunication patterns are an egregious violation of constitutional rights, notably infringing on the privacy of telecommunications and the basic right to Informational Self-determination.

Note: Registrations and powers of attorney will only be accepted if postmarked or submitted online before December 24, 2007.

Join

We call upon all citizens to join the constitutional complaint. Please take a moment and fill out the form below:

name, surname (required):

street number and name (required):

postcode, city (required):

e-mail address (required):

Public list of complainants I consent to having my name and hometown published on the Internet. Please mention me anonymized as in "C. H. of 1xxxx".

How are you affected by data retention? This information will be forwarded to the Federal Constitutional Court.

landline 

	I use a landline service.
	I have a landline registered in my own name.

mobile network 

	I use a mobile phone network.
	I am subscribing to a mobile phone plan in my own name.

e-Mail 

	I use e-mail.
	I have an e-mail account registered in my own name.

Internet 

	I am an Internet user.
	I have an Internet access subscription (e.g. flat rate) in my own name.

Internet telephony 

	I use Internet telephony (voice over IP).
	I have an Internet telephony subscription in my own name.

anonymization services 

	I use anonymization services.

professions where confidence is required 

	I am a priest, lawyer, notary, auditor, tax consultant, doctor, dentist, psychotherapist, pharmacist, pregnancy counselor, substance abuse counselor, member of parliament, or journalist and I am using telecommunication professionally.
	In this case, please give your profession:

provider of telecommunication services: 

	I am a provider of landline or mobile network services.
	I am a provider of e-mail services.
	I am an Internet service provider (ISP).
	I am a provider of Internet telephony (voice over IP) services.
	I am a provider of anonymization services.
	please give further information:

The information you provide will only be used to carry out the complaint. It will not be stored, disclosed or used for any other purpose.

encrypted transmission (SSL)

printable participation form

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is data retention?

Information and links regarding data retention can be found in our 5-minute-info.

What exactly is the contents of the constitutional complaint?

The current draft of the complaint is available here. The following violations of basic rights are being objected to: First, complete retention of connection data violates the rights of the communicating individuals accorded by the following parts of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz, GG): Article 10(1) variant 3 GG (Privacy of telecommunication), Art. 2(1) GG, Art. 1(1) GG (Right to informational self-determination), Art. 5(1) sentence 1, main clause 1 GG (freedom of expression), Art. 5(1) sentence 1 main clause 2 GG (freedom of information), Art. 5(1), sentence 2, variant 2 GG (freedom of broadcasting). In comparison to its severe consequences and dangers, the anticipated benefits of data retention are disproportionately small. Second, the complete storage of connection data also violates the rights of companies and organisations obligated to record and store the data (Art. 12(1) GG (occupational freedom)). Third, complete retention of connection data violates the rights of communicating individuals and the rights of companies and organisations obligated to record and store the data granted in Art. 3(1) GG (equality before the law).

Who can join the constitutional complaint?

Everybody who is affected by the proposed data retention in Germany. This includes all individuals using the services of a German telecommunications provider (landline, mobile phone, e-mail and Internet services), as well as telecommunications providers themselves.

Minors need to have a parent co-sign the power of attorney.


What happens when I register?

After you have filled in the above form, a blank template for a power of attorney will be displayed. Please fill in and sign this form and send it by postal mail to attorney Meinhard Starostik in Berlin. With your signature you authorize attorney Starostik to represent you in the case at the Federal Constitutional Court.

Please refrain from calling attorney Starostik by phone, as the number of complainants is too large for him to answer all inquiries personally. If you have any questions, you are welcome to ask them by sending us an e-mail. A TV interview with attorney Starostik about the constitutional complaint against data retention is available here.

Can I register via an SSL connection?

Registration via SSL (https) is available here.


How much will it cost me to participate?

Nothing. Regardless of the verdict, the lawsuit and your representation in court are free of charge. Therefore, no court fees, attorneys' fees, or other expenses are incurred. This holds even if the constitutional complaint is not successful.


Why does the power of attorney not mention that participation is free?

Because the agreement about the attorney's fee is independent of the power of attorney. The original document granting the power of attorney will be presented to the court, but the agreement about the fee is none of the court's business.

To remove any doubts, attorney Starostik published the following statement on his homepage: "Under no circumstances will I assert a financial claim based on the recently submitted powers of attorney against signatories."


Is it possible to point out that it's free on the power of attorney?

This shouldn't be done for the reasons mentioned above. However, you could attach a separate sheet.


What exactly does the power of attorney say?

With your signature on the power of attorney you authorize attorney Starostik to represent you in the Federal Constitutional Court. The power of attorney template is a standard form which is used every time an attorney is hired.


What purpose does the authorization to receive payment, as pointed out in the power of attorney, have?

If, for example, the Federal Republic of Germany is sentenced to carry the expenses of the lawsuit, the authorization to receive payment allows attorney Starostik to collect the money in place of the complainants.


I don't have the power of attorney template anymore, where can I get a copy?

If you already registered by using the above online form, you can download the power of attorney template here.

Please note: In order for the power of attorney to be useful, you have to register via the online form. This is because the information about how you are effected by data retention has to be presented to the Federal Constitutional Court.


Why can't I open the power of attorney template?

If you are having difficulties opening the PDF version of the template, open the plain text version with a text editor instead.


Is there a printable version of the registration form?

Yes, with an instruction sheet attached. [download] Copies may be given out to anyone.

Please note that with form, the information required for registration is collected and the power of attorney is issued. It's not necessary to register online if you use this form.


When will the constitutional complaint be filed?

The constitutional complaint will be filed as soon as the law for the introduction of data retention has been published in the Federal Register (Bundesgesetzblatt). The Bundesrat is still to comment on the legislation. After that the German president will decide whether he signs the act into law.

The constitutional complaint includes a request for temporary suspension of data retention until the Federal Constitutional Court comes to a decision. This is intended to block the law from ever taking effect.


Does German law permit a class-action lawsuit?

De jure, this is not a class-action lawsuit but an 'ordinary' constitutional complaint, brought to court collectively by a great number of individuals. This is legal and has numerous precedents of cases before the Federal Constitutional Court. An example is the constitutional complaint against the expansion of electronic surveillance (großer Lauschangriff).

How many people have signed up as participants in the constitutional complaint?

As of November 21, 2007, more than 20,000 individuals have sent in a signed power of attorney.


Where can I find a public list of all complainants?

You can find a public list of complainants here.


Why is a great number of participants useful?

Legally, it doesn't make any difference whether one individual or 20,000 individuals lodge a constitutional complaint. Politically, however, a huge participation is a strong signal that citizens will not accept the majority of the parliament passing an unconstitutional law which contains elements of a totalitarian surveillance state.


From our press release: 

  The call to lodge a massive class-action-style constitutional complaint is unique in German history. "The wholesale recording of all telecommunication is unique as well," argues political scientist Ralf Bendrath of the civil-liberties group Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung. "Just in case, Ms. Zypries wants to have information about our phone calls, movements, and Internet usage collected -- for the eventuality that we turn into criminals. We are recruiting complainants in case that the Social Democratic Party and the Christian Democratic Union really want to go ahead with their unconstitutional plan. If the coalition intends to spy on countless people, then likewise countless people will fight this in Karlsruhe."


What media reports where there about the constitutional complaint? 

   * dpa-Meldung: Bürgerrechtler aktiv gegen Vorratsdatenspeicherung (01.08.2007)
   * taz: Bürgerrechtler planen Rekord-Klage (01.08.2007)
   * Junge Welt: Auch Standort des Benutzers wird gespeichert (31.07.2007)
   * dpa-Meldung: Gegner der Vorratsdatenspeicherung gehen nach Karlsruhe (06.02.2007)
   * Hamburger Abendblatt: Bevölkerung läuft Sturm gegen Abhör-Staat (06.02.2007)
   * TV Berlin: Fernsehinterview mit padeluun und Rechtsanwalt Starostik (07.12.2006)
   * Tagesspiegel: 6000 Verfassungsbeschwerden gegen Datenspeicherung (30.11.2006)
   * Berliner Zeitung: Massenklage gegen Datensammlung (25.11.2006)
   * Frankfurter Rundschau: Klage gegen Datenspeicherung (24.11.2006)
   * ZDFheute.de: Speicherung von Vorratsdaten verfassungswidrig? (23.11.2006)
   * Neues Deutschland: Vorratsdatenspeicherung würde Fall für Karlsruhe (23.11.2006)
   * Heise Online: Massenklage gegen die Vorratsdatenspeicherung in Karlsruhe [Update] (22.11.2006)


Is it sufficient if I register only online?

No, the original power of attorney must be presented to the Federal Constitutional Court.


Is it sufficient if I just hand in the power of attorney?

No, we need the information we're asking about in the registration form to pass it on to the Federal Constitutional Court.

However, it is sufficient to send in the combined registration form on paper. In that case it is not necessary to register online.


Can I fax the power of attorney?

No, an original power of attorney must be presented to the Federal Constitutional Court.


May I include several forms in one envelope?

Yes, that's fine.


By what date do I have to send in the power of attorney? Is there a deadline?

Registration forms and powers of attorney must be submitted or postmarked, respectively, by December 24, 2007.


Why didn't I receive a response by attorney Starostik acknowledging the receipt of my power of attorney?

Due to the large number of complainants it is currently not possible to issue individual receipts. Starting with the submission of the complaint, you will be kept up-to-date about the complaints process via e-mail.

After the law has been passed, we will notify participants who registered but for which we haven't received a power of attorney.


My address has changed. What now?

If your postal address changed, please register again, giving your new address followed by your old address (e.g. "1 Main St. (formerly: 850 2nd St.); Houston, TX 77037 (formerly: New Orleans, LA 70125; USA (formerly: USA)"). Please enter the same e-mail address as in your first registration if possible. Finally, please notify us by e-mail that you updated your information and which e-mail address you entered when registering. It is not necessary to send in another power of attorney.


How can I change my contact information or any other data besides my address?

If your information has changed or you would like to be remove from the public list of complainants, please register again and enter your current information. Please use the same e-mail address as in your first registration if possible. Finally, please notify us by e-mail that you updated your information and which e-mail address or postal address you entered when registering. It is not necessary to send in another power of attorney.


Why do I have to provide an e-mail address?

The e-mail address is necessary to update the complainants about the progress of the complaint. Notifications by postal mail are impossible due to the large number of complainants. Your e-mail address is used exclusively to carry out the complaint process. It will not be stored, disclosed, or used for other purposes.


How is my information used?


The information you provide is used exclusively to carry out the complaint process. It will not be stored, disclosed, or used for other purposes. With your permission, we include your name and hometown in the list of complainants published on the Internet.


Further questions?

Please feel free to ask any remaining questions by e-mail.


Direct link to this page

http://verfassungsbeschwerde.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de

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