Calls Intensify for Mandatory Real-Name Policies on the InternetFri 26th Dec, 2025Leading constitutional law experts and politicians in Germany have recently sparked renewed debate about the introduction of a mandatory real-name policy for internet users. The expert argues that the increasing prevalence of hate speech, threats, and extremist content on digital platforms has reached a level that poses significant risks to social cohesion. Support for the real-name requirement is also emerging among policymakers, particularly those involved in digital affairs. Opponents of the real-name policy, not detailed in this report, have previously raised concerns about privacy rights, freedom of association, and the potential chilling effect on whistleblowers and vulnerable groups. As discussions continue, the prospect of a statutory real-name requirement remains a highly contested yet prominent topic in German digital policy.

Source: The Munich Eye December 26, 2025 17:35 UTC