Key facts
- Germany's cabinet approved a draft law to grant intelligence services new powers.
- The reforms allow for offensive cyber operations, sabotage, and hacking communications.
- The BND will have fewer data-protection restrictions and increased use of AI.
- The draft law must still be approved by parliament and aims for a 2027 implementation.
- The BND's budget was increased by 26% to €1.51 billion this year.
Germany's government has approved a draft law to significantly enhance the powers of its intelligence agencies, including the foreign intelligence service (BND), to counter growing hybrid threats from adversaries like Russia. The reforms, adopted by the cabinet, aim to move beyond traditional information-gathering to include capabilities such as offensive cyber operations, sabotage, and hacking adversary communications. This marks a departure from post-World War II restrictions intended to prevent abuses of power.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that the changes are necessary to adapt Germany's security apparatus to contemporary threats, including espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks. The government highlighted concerns about potential disruptions to U.S. intelligence sharing and the increasing menace from Moscow as key drivers for the reform. The BND will also see reduced data-protection restrictions, allowing for greater use of AI and longer data storage, alongside a budget increase.
Officials noted that Germany has historically relied too heavily on foreign partners for intelligence operations it could not conduct itself. The reforms are intended to enable a more active response to hybrid threats, such as recent drone incidents. However, the draft law still requires parliamentary approval and is targeted for implementation by 2027. Some opposition politicians and civil liberties advocates have expressed concerns about the expansion of powers for domestic security services.