Court puts the brakes on rail: Ticket only against cell phone number? Inadmissible!

If you drive, you don't have to hand over your data

Anyone sitting on a train wants to arrive - not be questioned. But this was exactly what Deutsche Bahn did until the end of 2024: if you wanted to buy a saver or super saver fare, you had to reveal your email address or cell phone number - even at the ticket counter. Now the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court has put its foot down: That goes too far.

According to the ruling (Ref.: 6 UKI 14/24), Deutsche Bahn is not allowed to link ticket purchases to the provision of personal contact details. Neither on the Internet nor at ticket machines or ticket counters. The court makes it clear that the mandatory request violates the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Data protection beats marketing strategy

Deutsche Bahn partially reversed its practice in December 2024 following criticism from data protectionists and passenger associations. But the consumer association did not let up - and went to court. With success: the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court has now ruled that the data request is not voluntary, but de facto enforced. And that was incompatible with the basic principles of data protection.

Particularly explosive: the court emphasizes the dominant market position of the railroads. This means that anyone who travels by train has hardly any real alternative. This is precisely why the encroachment on informational self-determination weighs heavily. It is not enough for Deutsche Bahn to simply want to work more efficiently or advertise more. Convenience for the company is no reason to undermine the rights of customers.

Paper remains mandatory - and that's a good thing

The ruling not only secures the freedom of customers to travel by train without a digital track, but also preserves a piece of analog reality. This is because the railroads must continue to offer paper tickets - without digital snooping, without app compulsion, without data collection.

The court makes it clear that digital convenience is not a license to handle personal data carelessly. An economy ticket is not a subscription, and travelers do not have to make themselves transparent. Customers can decide whether and when to disclose data - not the ticket machine.

Data protection hara-kiri in an economy price package

Let's hear it for this judgment! You buy a ticket, not a digital contract with data donation. Of course, it is more convenient for Deutsche Bahn to have all customers in the system - for marketing, for customer loyalty, for smooth processes. But data protection is not a convenience problem, it is a fundamental right. The fact that a state-owned company forgets this is more than embarrassing - it is questionable. Anyone who wants to drive should be allowed to do so - without hanging their cell phone number on the corporate altar. Period.