Germany strengthens intelligence efforts due to the Russian threat and grants spies new powers
Kyiv • UNN
The German government has approved a reform allowing the BND to conduct offensive cyber operations and sabotage. This is a response to daily hybrid attacks, including espionage, by foreign states.
The government of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has approved a reform of foreign intelligence that expands the powers of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) amid growing threats from Russia. POLITICO writes, as reported by UNN.
Details
Under the proposed changes, BND personnel will be able to conduct offensive cyber operations, carry out certain acts of sabotage, and conduct more aggressive intelligence operations. Previously, the agency’s activities were largely limited to gathering information due to legal restrictions introduced after World War II.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that Germany faces espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks and covert operations by foreign states every day.
Every day, we are targets of espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks and covert actions by foreign states aimed at destabilizing Germany, harming our country and bringing about political and social changes in our country
The BND will be able to counter hybrid attacks more actively
The reform will enable the BND to respond to hybrid threats, including exposing those involved in attacks, destroying their property or sabotaging prepared explosive devices. The agency will also be able to provide adversaries with false intelligence in response to certain attacks.
We are expanding the technical capabilities of the intelligence services and granting them active operational powers. This is not only about enabling the services to see and hear better in the future and analyze information more quickly. Above all, it is about the ability to take active measures against our attackers and adversaries
The government also plans to ease certain restrictions on the BND’s data processing. This will allow artificial intelligence and facial-recognition technologies to be used more extensively, as well as enabling the information obtained to be stored for longer.
According to POLITICO, the reform is intended to reduce Germany’s dependence on intelligence from its allies, particularly the United States. Head of the Chancellery Nina Warken said that the country had relied "too heavily" on support from foreign intelligence services.