The invention relates to a filter element (1) for separating media, especially for filtering fluids such as hydraulic liquids. Said filter element can be received in a filter housing (2), with an inlet point (32) for the medium to be filtered and an outlet point (34) for the filtered medium. The invention is characterised in that at least one data memory (40, 42) forms part of the filter element (1), in such a way that the data stored in the data memory (40, 42) can be electronically read out of the data memory (40, 42) by means of a reading appliance (44, 46) arranged outside the filter element. The invention also relates to an associated data transmission device.