The Saxon data protection authority ('SächsDSB') announced, on 13 July 2022, that the Saxon Parliament has passed the Transparency Act. In particular, the SächsDSB stated that, by virtue of the Act, from 1 January 2023, citizens will have the right to access information from Saxon authorities. As such, the SächsDSB specified that, from that date, Saxon authorities will be required to provide information requested by citizens which may include, for example, expert opinions, studies, reports, and notices. In this regard, the SächsDSB further noted that more information about the Transparency Act will soon be made available on the SächsDSB's website.

Notably, the SächsDSB highlighted that compliance with the Act shall be monitored by the Saxon data protection officer ('the Saxon DPO'), Juliane Hundert, who stated that the Transparency Act constitutes an important step towards strengthening citizens' rights and that access to state information is a prerequisite for active participation of citizens in a democratic society. Furthermore, the SächsDSB noted that the Saxon DPO has also appealed to the budget legislator to make improvements to the Ministry of Finance's prior decision to reject job posts provided for in the Transparency Act, stating that such posts will be required for the fulfillment of tasks under the Transparency Act.

You can read the press release, only available in German, here.