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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Zensursula” is a common card of the German Memes pack, number 139 of the collection, and the 150th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Zensursula” meme mean?
The nickname repurposes the minister's first name to link it directly with the word "censorship," summing up in one word the criticism of her bill: opponents argued that the proposed site-blocking opened the door to broader internet censorship, beyond the fight against child pornography it officially targeted. The portmanteau became a fast, viral label for the entire political debate around the bill, reaching far beyond policy specialists.
Where does the “Zensursula” meme come from?
The nickname "Zensursula" emerged in spring 2009 within German internet culture, in reaction to a plan pushed by Federal Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen to mandate the blocking of websites distributing child pornography, a plan that resulted in the law known as the Zugangserschwerungsgesetz. Opponents, fearing this filtering scheme could set a precedent for broader internet censorship, coined this portmanteau combining "Zensur" and the minister's first name. The term spread quickly across German blogs and social networks, then into the press, and shaped much of the public debate from 2009 to 2011 around digital rights. The law was eventually scrapped in 2011 without ever having been applied, but the nickname remains tied to this episode of German digital politics.
- 2009The nickname "Zensursula" appears, targeting Ursula von der Leyen during the debate over blocking child pornography sites.
- 2011The Zugangserschwerungsgesetz law at the center of the debate is scrapped.
How to use the “Zensursula” meme
- An article references "the Zensursula affair" to sum up the 2009 controversy.
- An online comment labels a new surveillance bill "the new Zensursula."
- Activists reuse the portmanteau to criticize an internet filtering proposal.
Also searched as
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- zensursula ursula von der leyen
- zensursula 2009 germany
- zugangserschwerungsgesetz zensursula
- zensursula origin internet censorship
The “Zensursula” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 139 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | German Memes pack |
| Fame | 50/100 · #150 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Zensursula” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Zensursula comes out of the German Memes pack as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Zensursula”
More cards of the German Memes pack
Frequently asked questions
What does Zensursula mean?
It is a German portmanteau coined in 2009 from "Zensur" (censorship) and the first name Ursula, a mocking nickname given to minister Ursula von der Leyen during the internet filtering debate.
Why did Ursula von der Leyen get this nickname?
Because she championed a 2009 bill to block child pornography websites, which opponents saw as risking broader internet censorship.
What happened to the law behind this nickname?
The law, known as the Zugangserschwerungsgesetz, was passed but never enforced, and was eventually repealed in 2011 after a change in political majority.
Is the nickname still used today?
It is still cited as a historical reference in German debates over censorship and internet regulation, long after the 2009 episode.
How do I get the Zensursula meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Zensursula” is a common card of the German Memes pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Zensursula card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Wikipedia (DE) — Ursula von der Leyen · Wikipedia (DE) — Zugangserschwerungsgesetz · checked on October 30, 2026.
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