Data protection or freedom of the press: Where is the balance in reporting?

Data protection or freedom of the press: Where is the balance in reporting?

On April 25, 2025, the German media landscape is characterized by the debate about data protection and freedom of the press. In particular, the introduction of PUR-ABOS, which are available on platforms such as Der Spiegel and The time raises questions. These subscriptions make it possible to consume content largely advertising and without tracking. The demand for such offers has increased in recent years, not least because of new interpretations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Matthias Eberl, journalist and data protection officer, explains in his blog that the regulations of the GDPR only allow behavior -based advertising with the voluntary consent of the users. According to the new requirements, publishers can request the approximate value of the advertising revenues from their users. The association of newspaper publishers (BDZV) sees monetization by payment content as a matter of course. This leads to a noticeable split between users who are looking for data protection privileges, and those who want to access free content.

data protection and tracking

The PUR models offer a choice: either users take the safe way, benefit from data protection and freedom of advertising or they opt for free use, which is often associated with extensive tracking. Platforms such as the Spiegel have promised to offer an ad -free experience, but continue to use tracking by third -party providers such as Bing, Facebook and Google. Data for retargeting is also sent to Facebook, which raises questions about GDPR conformity.

The websites quickly invite you and offer a distraction -free user experience, but page views are often reported to data metrics such as Ioam.de for range measurement. The use of Adobe Analytics for customer tracking and the creation of behavioral profiles also raises concerns, since a permanent subscription ID is sent to the Adobe server, which enables complete data profile. Time, on the other hand, uses Google Analytics and Mapp to analyze internal use, which is also considered problematic.

freedom of the press in the area of ​​tension

Journalistic activity, which is protected by the freedom of the press of the Basic Law, is not subject to external control by state data protection supervision. There is a remarkable tension between data protection and freedom of the press. Article 85 of the GDPR finally demands a balance between these two aspects. It is therefore important for media companies to follow binding guidelines that are defined by the German press council in the press code.

As part of these guidelines, the protection of personal rights and editorial data protection is emphasized. Daily journalistic work requires a high degree of responsibility. Complaints about possible violations can be submitted to the German Press Council, which can order appropriate measures when not being observed.

Finally, it can be seen that the discussion about PUR subscriptions and data protection is not only a technical problem, but also an ethical dilemma in the modern media world. It is crucial for experts and consumers to critically consider these developments and to promote active participation for a responsible media environment.