Germany introduces legislation to protect ethical hackers and increase penalties for cybercrime

Germany is preparing a bill to protect ethical hackers and increase penalties for cybercrimes. The goal is to create a more secure environment for identifying and fixing vulnerabilities without the risk of prosecution.

Germany’s Federal State Ministry has introduced a bill to protect ethical hackers who responsibly report security vulnerabilities. The law aims to protect cybersecurity researchers from criminal liability if certain boundaries are violated and allows software developers to freely report threats. At the same time, the document provides for severe penalties for cases of espionage and data tampering, especially if it threatens critical infrastructure. The amendments, in particular articles 202a and 202B of the German Criminal Code, define the “approved” actions of the researcher and allow him to avoid prosecution for his work.

Justice Minister Marko Buschman emphasized that the changes in the law are aimed at ensuring public safety, giving ethical hackers the opportunity to eliminate threats in a timely manner. He noted that such measures protect such important sectors as health care and energy. In addition to protecting researchers, the bill also provides for increased penalties for causing significant financial losses or threats to national security.

The move is part of a broader initiative by Germany and the EU to strengthen national cyber security. Current legislation, particularly Section 202A of the Penal Code, often places ethical hackers at risk of criminal prosecution. The updated legislation will help eliminate these “grey areas” and promote the legalization of responsible research.