A questionable approach on behalf of the income: The state as a buyer of questionable data and the consequences for law and trust

The purchase of data from the gray market to collect taxes raises fundamental questions about the credibility of governmental action. When authorities knowingly acquire information whose origin is doubtful or even illegal, they leave the ground on which they themselves demand justice and order. The impression arises that purpose and medium are no longer cleanbe separated, but that the financial benefit is placed above the rule of law principles. A state that demands law-abiding behavior from its citizens undermines its own authority. The accusation of putting yourself in the role of a fence through such purchases can therefore hardly be dismissed out of hand. This crosses a limit that actuallyshould be immovable.

Promotion of a shady market

With every purchase of such data, a market based on illegally obtained information is strengthened. Those who pay for this data create incentives for further procurement in a dubious manner and contributes to the expansion of this business area. Instead of weakening criminal structures, they are indirectly alimonized and encouraged to continue their activities. This creates aCircuit in which government demand and illegal supply reinforce each other. The result is a development that is hardly compatible with the rule of law. The line between combating misconduct and its indirect support is increasingly being blurred.

Doubtful successes and embarrassing mistakes

In addition, the hoped-for additional income does not always occur or prove to be justified. In some cases, it turned out that the data acquired did not provide any reliable evidence of illegal transactions or even concerned completely legal matters. Such mistakes not only damage the authorities’ credibility, but also raise the questionhow carefully this information is checked. If investigations are initiated on an uncertain basis, this can affect innocent people. Trust in state proceedings suffers when such events are piling up. In the end, the impression of a system that is frantically searching for income and losing sight of one’s own standards remains.

Dangerous signals for law and order

A state that even evades legal gray areas sends a problematic signal to society. The message is that rules are stretchy as long as a supposedly higher goal is pursued. This weakens the moral basis on which laws are based, and can lead to a loss of trust in the long term. When citizens get the impression that government agencies areNot consistently sticking to the law, the willingness to take your own duties seriously decreases. This shakes a foundation that is essential for the functioning of a community. Such a course is therefore not only legally questionable, but also politically short-sighted.

Necessity of clear boundaries

It is urgently necessary for government agencies to critically question their procedures and to draw clear boundaries. The acquisition of data from dubious sources must not be considered an acceptable means of enforcing claims. Instead, the focus should be on legally compliant methods that maintain the integrity of the state. This is the only way to maintain trustis essential for a functioning order. Anyone who claims permanent legitimacy must also adhere to the rules they set. Otherwise, there is a risk of a creeping loss of credibility that is difficult to undo.