From September 12, 2026, new connected devices sold in Germany must give you access to the data they collect about you.
This data access requirement comes from the EU Data Act (Datengesetz). The Bundesnetzagentur enforces the EU Data Act.
Why does the EU Data Act now require device data access?
Connected devices generate huge amounts of data about how you use them. Until now, manufacturers controlled that data.
A smart thermostat knows your daily routine. A fitness tracker knows your heart rate and sleep patterns.
The EU Data Act (Regulation 2023/2854) entered into force in 2024. Most obligations applied from September 12, 2025.
The new EU Data Act’s requirements go further. New products must be built so their data is easy to access.
What the EU Data Act changes for device owners
Once a product falls under the new EU Data Act, you gain new rights. You can:
- View and download the data your device generates, through the device or its app
- Share that data with a service provider of your choice, such as a repair shop
- Stop a manufacturer from using your data to lock you into its own paid services
These new rights under the EU Data Act cover smart home appliances, wearables, connected vehicles, and industrial equipment.
NOTE: The design requirement applies to products placed on the market from September 12, 2026. Older devices fall under the earlier, less strict rules from September 2025.
What should manufacturers do under the new EU Data Act rules?
Companies selling connected products in Germany must redesign new devices. Data access must be built into the product itself.
You can retrieve your data without a formal request. That data must arrive in a reusable, machine-readable format.
Bundesnetzagentur president Klaus Müller says the rule helps businesses too. Start-ups can build new repair and comparison services using that device data.
Enforcement and Penalties Under the EU Data Act
Bundesnetzagentur became Germany’s central Data Act authority in 2026. The national implementing law (DADG) took effect on May 30, 2026.
Bundesnetzagentur oversees compliance and approves dispute resolution bodies. It also coordinates with the European Commission.
Penalties scale with the violator. “Gatekeeper” companies under the Digital Markets Act face the top penalty: 4% of annual EU turnover.
Other companies face fines too. Those fines are set at a level meant to be dissuasive. Non-compliant products can also be pulled from the market.
What should you do under the new EU Data Act rules?
- Check the product documentation for new smart devices bought after September 12, 2026
- File a complaint with Bundesnetzagentur if a device denies you access to your usage data
- Ask for customer data access if your business offers repair or maintenance services
