Source: Universität München
A new empirical study by Prof. Dr. Ralf Kölbel (LMU Munich), offers the first in-depth analysis of the Federal External Whistleblowing Office established under Germany’s Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG). Covering the period from July 2023 to December 2024, the study is based on full case data, a random sample of 272 reports, and interviews with case handlers.
Key Findings
- The office received 2,212 reports in its first 18 months.
- 63% of these were initially assessed as potentially sanctionable.
- However, only 342 cases were forwarded to other authorities.
- Just 108 cases were referred to public prosecutors, and none had led to prosecution or sanctions by the end of 2024.
The study highlights unclear legal provisions for transferring reports between federal or state-level reporting offices—especially when whistleblowers do not consent to data sharing. While the office is valued as a support and advisory service, its contribution to uncovering and sanctioning wrongdoing remains modest. The study concludes that this is not due to internal shortcomings, but rather to the regulatory design of the office, which limits its investigative powers and its ability to act independently.