Anonymous Report (HinSchG)
Mandatory handling of anonymous reports since 01.01.2025
Practitioner's note: This article is practice-oriented compliance documentation, not legal advice. We are a compliance specialist, not a law firm. For legally binding information please consult a licensed lawyer.
TL;DR
Pursuant to Section 16 (1) of the German Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG), an anonymous report is a tip without identification of the sender. Since 01.01.2025, reporting offices must be able to process and follow up on anonymous reports.
What is an Anonymous Report (HinSchG)?
Requirements:
- Anonymous intake channel system (software with anonymization option)
- Anonymous return channel — the whistleblower can make follow-up inquiries
- Equal processing alongside identified reports
Tools with an anonymous return channel:
- EQS Integrity Line
- Whistlelink
- Whispli
- NAVEX EthicsPoint
Practical example
An employee anonymously reports suspected corruption. The software issues a token. The whistleblower can later use the token to query the status — without disclosing their identity.
Frequently asked questions
Is an email address sufficient for anonymity?
No — pseudonymity is not anonymity. Specialized software is required.
Fine for failure to handle anonymous reports?
Section 40 HinSchG: up to EUR 50,000. Supervisory authority practice in 2025: intensified controls from 02/2025.