Why your Mailbox is Ringing… And how to Protect your Child’s Data
Recently, I have been receiving more and more inquiries from parents whose almost adult children suddenly find “VIP invitations” from the German Armed Forces in their mailbox. In the following, I will explain – in a compact and practical way – what is behind the flood of cards, what rights you have and how you can enforce them with minimal effort.
1 | where Does the Troop Know My Address from?
The answer is simply law:
- § 58c of the Soldiers Act obliges every registration office to report the addresses of all persons who will turn 18 in the following year by March 31.
- The basis for this is § 36 Para. 2 Federal Registration Act (BMG) .
The German Armed Forces uses this data to send information postcards, event invitations or questionnaires. The consent of the data subjects is not required – as long as there is no transmission block.
2 | is Advertising to Minors Permitted?
Yes. Minors may be addressed, provided that the message is neither aggressive nor misleading and no contract is required. The current cards only contain a visit or information offer – legally unproblematic.
3 | your Joker: the Objection
The good news is: You can stop the data transfer at any time.
Here’s how it works in three minutes:
- Address your letter or e-mail to the citizens’ or registration office of your municipality.
- Subject: “Objection to data transfer according to § 36 Para. 2 BMG”.
- Suggested text: “I hereby object to the transfer of my registration data to the Federal Office for Personnel Management of the German Armed Forces.”
- Signature: in the case of minors, also that of the legal guardians.
The office then enters a transmission block – free of charge and until revoked. Many municipalities already offer an online form for this in the service portal.
4 | Typical Misconceptions – Clarified Briefly
| Misconception | Reality |
|---|---|
| “This only affects boys.” | Every future birthday child is reported – regardless of gender. |
| “A one-time objection is sufficient for the whole family.” | No, each person must object separately. |
| “I can only react after receiving the postcard.” | Wrong. A block is possible at any time – even preventively. |
5 | Practical Tips for a Stress-Free Process
- Citizens’ office check at the next ID appointment: Actively ask about existing transmission blocks and have missing ones entered immediately.
- Keep scan: Save the signed objection digitally; should mail still arrive, this will speed up your complaint to the data protection supervisory authority.
- Inform schools: Many questions arise in the class chat. A short info to the parents’ representation or school management prevents panic and stray losses.
- Pay attention to TikTok & Co: The German Armed Forces is increasingly advertising online. Talk to your child about advertising messages – not every career starts with a glossy video.
6 | What if Mail Comes despite the Block?
Then there is a data protection breach. Request the German Armed Forces to delete the data in writing (Art. 17 GDPR) and inform the state data protection authority. In practice, a reference to the existing block is usually sufficient to stop further mailings.
7 | My Conclusion
The annual “German Armed Forces mailing” is legally covered, but by no means without alternatives. A short objection secures your child’s privacy permanently – without registered mail or nerve-wracking phone calls. Should any questions remain open or should you need support in enforcing your rights, I am happy to assist you.
Memorandum to take away: If you don’t want advertising mail, you don’t have to take cover – a single sentence at the citizens’ office is enough.
