Security policy: Bundestag approves extensive intelligence service reform
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) are receiving new powers at home and abroad for covert countermeasures. The opposition warns of intervention that is too far-reaching.
The German Bundestag has approved a comprehensive reform of the country's intelligence agencies in response to the threat from Russia. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) are now authorized to take active and covert action against attackers in cases of particular danger.
The new laws allow the agencies to disrupt the infrastructure of attackers through cyberattacks, redirect data traffic, delete stored information, and spread disinformation. The reform has been welcomed by some, including Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who described it as a "century reform", while others, such as the Greens' Konstantin von Notz, have expressed concerns about excessive powers being granted to the agencies.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
