Media Coverage

On this page, we document how our work is represented in the media.

2025

2025-09.03 | Bayern 2 and Podcast “Urgent: Protection from Cybercriminals! Research Under Pressure” IQ – Science and Research – Interview with Oliver Buschek about the cat-and-mouse game between hackers and security researchers and the pressure on the research community.

2025-04-30 | BR24 “Technical Weaknesses of the SPD Online Member Vote” Critical analysis of the SPD’s digital voting process. Professor Herrmann contextualizes security issues and misleading two-factor authentication.

2025-04-30 | Fränkischer Tag “Young Learners Explore Fascinating Worlds” Children’s university lecture on secure passwords for 9- to 12-year-olds.

2023

2023-11-07 | Fränkischer Tag “Strong Passwords for Lazy People Too” Comprehensive interview on practical IT security. “A good horse only jumps as high as it must” – on password pragmatism and self-determined security.

2023-03-24 | GI Blog Post “Digital Consumer Protection Through Education?” Opinion piece by the German Informatics Society on systemic change in data protection: Instead of user education, we need incentives for providers. → Article

2022

2022-01-24 | Fränkischer Tag “Bamberg Your Data” Regional coverage on data protection research and local digitalization challenges.

2021

2021-07-19 | SPIEGEL Online + WDR/hr Podcasts “Dark Patterns: How You’re Being Manipulated Online” Extensive SPIEGEL interview about manipulative user interfaces, complemented by podcast conversations on COSMO Tech (WDR) and hr-iNFO exploring consumer protection aspects in greater depth. → SPIEGEL Article | COSMO Podcast | hr-iNFO Podcast

2021-08-23 | Darmstädter Echo “Data Protection Often Not Guaranteed” Discussion of systematic data protection problems in digital applications.

2020

2020-12-04 | Bayerische Staatszeitung “Undercover Investigators for Data Protection” Methodological approaches to uncovering data protection violations in digital practice.

2020-11-01 | Die Rheinpfalz “App Providers Refuse Information” Coverage on lack of GDPR compliance among app developers.

2020-03-25 | Nürnberger Zeitung “Tracking the Virus by Phone” Analysis of Corona apps and their data protection implications during the pandemic.

2020-03-24 | Business Insider “This App Is Supposed to Warn You” Technical assessment of Corona warning apps and tracking mechanisms.

2019

2019-11-08 | Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung “Lonely Battle” Major investigative report on data protection problems in pharmacy software. Professor Herrmann conducted forensic analyses and uncovered systematic violations.

2019-07-11 | Passauer Neue Presse “Things Are Getting Out of Control” Interview about loss of control in digital systems and data protection challenges.

2019-05-20 | Fränkischer Tag “What Is a Secure Password?” Children’s university coverage on age-appropriate IT security education.

2018

2018-12-21 | Süddeutsche Zeitung “They Know More Than They Want To” First major SZ exposé on unauthorized data storage in pharmacy software. Professor Herrmann examined the systems on site and uncovered GDPR violations.

2018-06-08 | Fränkischer Tag “Data at the Center” Report on Professor Herrmann’s inaugural lecture at the University of Bamberg.

Press Materials

Short Profile Prof. Dr. Dominik Herrmann

Dominik Herrmann is Professor of Privacy and Security in Information Systems at the University of Bamberg and researches solutions that work – meaning they are also accepted. In his practice-relevant research on common data protection practices on the internet, he occasionally finds vulnerabilities, such as in 170+ online pharmacies, which led to nationwide coverage (SPIEGEL, Süddeutsche Zeitung, FAZ).

He teaches students how to find such problems and report them responsibly. As a “teaching nerd” (Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching), the 2014 German Informatics Society dissertation prize winner is revolutionizing university studies: Annually, he administers 600+ laptop exams with realistic tasks, produces a YouTube channel for computer science beginners, and operates a video studio for the entire university.

He uses AI for his teaching preparation but warns about its impact on students. “Attending university must be worthwhile, must be more fun again.” Since October 2025: Dean of the WIAI Faculty and board member of Stiftung Warentest. His guiding principle: “Data protection problems are often explanation problems.”

Available Discussion Topics

• IT Security in Daily Life: Practical protection strategies without fearmongering
• Dark Patterns and Digital Consumer Protection: Recognizing manipulation in user interfaces
• GDPR in Practice: The data protection right of access in practice
• AI in Education and Administration: ChatGPT in exams, policy generator, ethical AI use
• Innovative E-Assessments: >600 digital exams/year, pseudonymous grading, programming in exams
• Large-Scale Online Measurements: Found errors in 170+ online pharmacies, systematic website evaluation
• Responsible Disclosure: Constructive security reporting, ethics in cybersecurity research
• Digital Teaching Culture: “The Teaching Nerd” - video studio, interactive formats, post-pandemic approaches

Press Contact

• Prof. Dr. Dominik Herrmann:
  • dominik.herrmann@uni-bamberg.de
  • Phone +49 951 863-2661
• Dagmar Rieß (Office):
  • office.psi@uni-bamberg.de
  • Phone +49 951 863-2795

Response Times:

• Urgent inquiries (phone only): within 4 hours
• Standard interviews: 3-4 business days
• Background discussions: By appointment