Germany: More power for the intelligence agencies
German intelligence agencies have been calling for more powers in the fight against cyberattacks, terrorism and extremism. Now the government has given the go. Critics warn that red lines are being crossed.
Germany's intelligence agencies, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), are set to receive significant power increases to better defend the country against internal and external threats. The cabinet approved a draft bill on Wednesday, though parliamentary approval is pending until the summer recess ends in early September.
The reform, considered the largest since the end of World War II in 1945, would grant the agencies new operational capabilities, allowing them to manipulate or delete data, counter cyberattacks by neutralizing enemy IT systems, and conduct sabotage abroad. The BND would also be granted the ability to analyze large volumes of data using artificial intelligence and cross-reference biometric data with the internet.
Critics, including the Society for Civil Rights and the opposition socialist Left Party, argue that these changes would blur constitutional boundaries between intelligence services, the police, and the military, and weaken oversight.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
