German Cabinet Approves Major Expansion of Intelligence Agency Powers

The German cabinet under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has approved a draft law to significantly expand the powers of the country's foreign intelligence agency, the BND, and the domestic security agency, the BfV. The reforms aim to transform these agencies from primarily information gathering entities into active services capable of countering hybrid threats, sabotage, and cyberattacks. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the move as a new era that will revolutionize Germany's security architecture. The government cited mounting threats from foreign adversaries, specifically mentioning Russia, as a primary driver for the changes.

Under the proposed legislation, the BND will gain the ability to conduct offensive cyber operations, including the capacity to manipulate or delete data in hack back attacks. The agency may also carry out acts of sabotage, such as neutralizing drone factories or rendering weapons harmless during production. Domestically, the BfV will be granted broader powers to infiltrate computer systems, conduct home searches in high danger situations, and use artificial intelligence to analyze and store data for longer periods. While the use of force abroad remains forbidden, agents will have more flexibility to carry weapons for self defense.

Outlets with a center lean frame the reform as a necessary modernization to deter mounting threats and bring Germany to a level of competitiveness equal to its international allies. Center left sources emphasize the shift from passive spying to active counterattacking while noting that the government is under pressure to modernize following recent security gaps. In contrast, a left leaning source frames the reform as a dangerous and history forgetting move that threatens civil liberties and risks creating a parallel police force by weakening the traditional separation between intelligence and law enforcement.

To oversee these expanded powers, the government proposes an independent control board. However, critics and some officials have raised concerns that this new structure may reduce the oversight role of the federal commissioner for data protection. The draft law now moves to parliament for final approval, with the government hoping for implementation by January 1, 2027.