What exactly is proposed under Stefanie Hubig’s plan?

Reports indicate a narrow three-month IP address retention duty for ISPs, not content storage. The intent is to help identify subscribers behind IP use in defined investigations with court oversight. Final scope, safeguards, and reporting rules will appear in the bill and any implementing guidance after the Bundestag process.

How could this affect ISP costs in Germany?

ISPs may need new log pipelines, indexable storage, encryption, access controls, and audit reporting. This drives upfront capex and recurring opex for monitoring and certifications. Price competition could limit pass-through, so operators will seek efficient storage tiers, automation, and potential outsourcing to cloud or managed security partners.

What are the main legal risks and timelines?

EU case law limits broad, indiscriminate retention. If the law overreaches, civil groups or operators could seek injunctions, delaying enforcement. Even a narrow design may face review. Track draft publication, committee work, the spring vote, and any court filings that could shift compliance timing or trim the law’s scope.

Who might benefit if the proposal passes?

Security and data-management vendors that provide SIEM, log storage, and compliance reporting could see higher demand. Data center and cloud providers may gain from outsourcing. Consulting firms with privacy-by-design expertise also benefit. Telecom shares could face modest margin pressure until costs stabilize and implementation risks ease.

Law and Government

December 23: Hubig Pushes 3‑Month IP Logs—Regulatory Risk for ISPs

ByHuzaifa Zahoor December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Stefanie Hubig is advancing a bill for three-month IP address retention by German ISPs, with a Bundestag vote targeted in spring. The move revives Germany data retention law debates and could align with an EU push for longer retention. For investors, the proposal flags higher ISP compliance costs, near-term storage capex, and legal uncertainty that may shift timelines. We outline what is known, where litigation could land, and who might benefit if the measure proceeds.