274. You intentionally opened a letter in Germany that was addressed to another person. What did you fail to respect?

Answer options

1. the right to remain silent
2. the secrecy of correspondence
3. the duty of confidentiality (professional secrecy)
4. freedom of expression

Explanation

The correct answer is the secrecy of correspondence. It is guaranteed as a fundamental right in Article 10(1) of the Basic Law, together with postal and telecommunications secrecy, consciously strengthened in light of Weimar and Nazi-era surveillance; restrictions are permissible only under Article 10(2) GG via the G 10 Act with parliamentary oversight (G 10 Commission). Between private persons, protection is provided by criminal law—Section 202 Criminal Code (violation of the secrecy of correspondence) and Section 206 StGB for postal/telecom employees—and through the indirect third-party effect of Article 10 in tort and personality-rights doctrine. By contrast, the right to remain silent (procedural), professional confidentiality (Section 203 StGB), and freedom of expression (Article 5 GG) are distinct concepts.