Germany gives intelligence agencies broad new powers

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 17:49 · Archive

Germany's parliament has approved sweeping new powers for foreign and domestic intelligence services to combat cyberattacks and hybrid threats.

Germany's parliament has approved a major intelligence reform package in response to rising threats from cyberattacks and hybrid warfare. The Bundestag voted 309 in favour, 190 against and 71 abstained.

The foreign intelligence service, the BND, can now respond to cyberattacks from foreign powers with counterattacks of its own. Measures range from deleting and manipulating data to disabling systems and destroying physical weapons such as drones. The domestic service, the BfV, can for the first time take protective action against property and IT systems, including dismantling explosives, diverting data flows, or planting false information. Both agencies may enter homes and business premises covertly to prepare surveillance operations, but cannot use force against people.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt championed the bill as necessary because of increasing threats from foreign powers. However, opposition lawmakers and the Left Party's Clara Bünger objected, with Bünger accusing Dobrindt of creating a new German secret police. The legislation breaks with Germany's historical focus on intelligence gathering rather than operations, partly because what the police call 'hybrid attacks' challenge the traditional separation between police investigations and intelligence work. An independent oversight board will monitor the agencies.

How it is being reported

• German spies handed new powers to tackle 'hybrid threats' from abroadGerman reforms mean foreign and domestic intelligence services will have greater powers to combat espionage, terrorism and sabotage.BBC News · 13 Nov, 15:42
• Cyber attacks and hybrid warfare: Germany gives sweeping powers to its police and intelligence servicesDrone sightings and cyberattacks have heightened security concerns. How are the police preparing to meet these challenges? And how do intelligence services plan to counter threats from both domestic and foreign sources?DW News · 13 Nov, 15:26
• Germany gives sweeping powers to police, intelligence servicesDrone sightings and cyberattacks have heightened security concerns. How are the police preparing to meet these challenges? And how do intelligence services plan to counter threats from both domestic and foreign sources?DW News · 13 Nov, 15:26

In this story: Germany · Bundestag · Federal Intelligence Service · BND · BfV · Alexander Dobrindt · Holger Münch

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