In Germany every site that collects, stores and/or processes personal data (PD) is required to have a data privacy explanation that is easily reachable from every page and explains to the user what data is being received, stored, processed and also explain the user's rights (for example the right to be informed, to correct data and so on).

At first glance, a "private" page does not directly process personal data and would therefore not require a privacy policy.

So if you don't use contact forms, advertising banners, social media plugins, etc., you should be on the safe side.

What most don't see: The server on which pages are located (hosted) collects personal data in the background in the form of server log files. These log files contain IP addresses, these addresses are personal data.

So yes. Even if the server doesn't log the IP to logfiles as it still receives the IP every site needs a privacy page.

There are good privacy page generators, though. Free of cost.

What if I run something like a good old phpbb just as a hobby. What would I put on that privacy page? You enter your email address on sign-up. It's visible in your profile. You get notifications to it if you subscribe to topics. Isn't it kinda obvious it is stored? What if phpbb logs IP addresses for every post? I know it did in the past and don't remember there being an option to have that purged after a given amount of time. Can I do that? Do I need to put an imprint on the page, or is a contact form enough? Maybe I don't wanna put my name and address openly on the web. So I guess I'm just way to afraid to host a forum in Germany for my local sports club, because I don't wanna get hassled by lawyers who made this their business model. Better open a Facebook group, this is certainly much more privacy friendly.

> In Germany

Well, I'm not in Germany... you didn't mention in your original comment that it only applies to German websites!

Germany is the only country I can speak of from experience. Not sure about the other EU countries, but would expect similar regulations.

Everybody else. Officially if you target European audiences you would need to adhere to the same regulations, but practically nobody could reasonably enforce it.

Well, as I mentioned, I've only ever seen an imprint on websites from Germany, so I think you're conflating EU and national regulations.