Prof. Dr Moritz Hennemann has been elected the new Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information
Freiburg, 29/06/2026
Hennemann is a professor of law at the University of Freiburg, where he also obtained his doctorate and completed his habilitation. As Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI), he will be responsible for monitoring federal authorities, advising policymakers and keeping the public informed. Hennemann has been elected for a five-year term.
Prof. Dr Moritz Hennemann, Professor of Civil Law with Information Law, Media Law, Internet Law, at the University of Freiburg and Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information. Photo: Julian Vogel / University of Freiburg
The German Bundestag has elected Prof. Dr Moritz Hennemann, a legal scholar from Freiburg, as the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI). Since 2023, Hennemann has been Professor of Civil Law, specialising in information law, media law and internet law, at the University of Freiburg, where he also obtained his doctorate and completed his habilitation.
“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Prof. Dr Moritz Hennemann on his appointment as Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information,” says Rector Kerstin Krieglstein. “This important role requires a high level of professional expertise, a strong sense of responsibility and a clear understanding of the challenges facing our digital society. Prof. Hennemann is a perfect fit for this position. This special recognition is a wonderful example of how professors at the University of Freiburg take on responsibility for our society through their expertise and commitment. I wish him much success in his new role.”
Close ties with the University of Freiburg
Hennemann’s academic career is closely tied to the University of Freiburg: following his first law examination, he had already become a research assistant at the Institute for Media and Information Law there. His doctoral thesis focused on copyright enforcement and the internet. Following positions at, amongst others, the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg and a law firm in Düsseldorf, he returned to the Institute of Media and Information Law at the University of Freiburg as a temporary academic lecturer. He completed his habilitation in 2019.
In 2020, Hennemann became a professor at the University of Passau, before accepting a post at the University of Freiburg in 2023. His main areas of research include data and data protection law, information law and media law. In particular, he focuses on legal issues relating to digital societies.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been elected Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, and to have been entrusted with this role by the German Bundestag. I consider it a great honour to be able to take on this responsibility on behalf of the public.”
Prof. Dr. Hennemann
Professor of Law at the University of Freiburg and Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information.
“I am absolutely delighted to have been elected Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, and to have been entrusted with this role by the German Bundestag”, says Hennemann. “I consider it a great honour to be able to take on this responsibility on behalf of the public.”
Independent federal authority
The Federal Data Protection Commissioner monitors all federal public bodies and telecommunications companies to ensure compliance with data protection legislation. In addition, he advises the Bundestag and informs the public on matters relating to the processing of personal data. He also acts as the point of contact for freedom of information, that is, the right of access to official information. The public may also contact him.
The Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information is elected by the Bundestag on the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior and appointed by the Federal President. He acts in an independent capacity and heads an autonomous federal authority with around 370 staff members. Hennemann has been elected for a five-year term. During this time period, his professorship at the University of Freiburg will be placed on hold.