[heffer]

I do feel they are increasingly modelling themselves after the US system, seemingly only impeded by stricter data protection laws. Schufa, as you said, used to be mostly the exchange of negative-only debtor information (i.e. Schufa having no information about you is a good sign for your creditworthiness). I'd say in the last 15 years (or so) we've arrived at the point where Schufa having no information about you is about as bad as having negative information. Exactly like in the US. The only difference being that for their main consumer product you are still fine to get the "Nothing negative to report" document, as that is what's accepted by most landlords.