Germany steps up powers of police and intelligence services

Key Points:

• Germany's Bundestag approved a reform granting intelligence agencies, including the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), expanded powers to counter cyberattacks, including data manipulation, system disabling, and physical destruction of threats like drones.
• Under the new rules, agencies may covertly enter homes and businesses to prepare surveillance but cannot use force against individuals; an independent oversight board will monitor these activities.
• The reform challenges the traditional separation of powers between police and intelligence services, a principle rooted in historical lessons from Nazi-era abuses, with some officials calling for closer cooperation to address modern hybrid threats.
• Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt aims to transform domestic intelligence agencies into more robust services capable of active cyber defense, emphasizing retaliation against foreign digital attacks.
• BKA President Holger Münch highlighted the increasing cyber threat, noting a 24% rise in foreign-originated crimes in early 2026 and expressing concern over low resolution rates, which undermine public confidence in state security institutions.