Germany spy reforms would expand covert powers

The German government plans to put forward a major overhaul of its intelligence agencies on Wednesday that would give them wider powers to conduct covert operations and respond to foreign threats.

The reforms would loosen strict limits that have largely confined Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency and BfV domestic spy service to gathering information and passing reports to policymakers.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition argues that stronger intelligence powers are needed to counter hostile foreign powers, terrorist groups and cybercriminals. German officials accuse Moscow of carrying out a hybrid campaign of sabotage, espionage and disinformation against Germany, a major supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia.

The package would potentially allow German spy agencies to carry out cyber operations, including disabling foreign IT systems used by hostile actors or blocking payment flows. It would also expand powers to collect and analyse data, including the use of artificial intelligence to scan large datasets and hold some data for longer.

In rare cases, the BND could receive permission to carry out foreign sabotage missions. Assassinations and other lethal operations would remain banned under German law.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told Bild the changes would turn Germany's intelligence agencies into “genuine secret services” and put them on an equal footing with partner agencies abroad.

Marc Henrichmann, chairman of parliament's intelligence oversight committee, told AFP that Germany was in a hybrid conflict with Russia and other actors and that its intelligence services needed to keep pace. Peter Neumann, a professor of security studies at King's College London, told AFP that many European allies, including Britain, France and the Netherlands, already give their spy services significantly broader powers.

Critics have warned that the draft goes too far. Greens MP Konstantin von Notz said stronger powers were broadly appropriate in the current security climate, but argued that the proposal did not do enough to strengthen independent oversight. The Society for Civil Rights said the new digital surveillance powers would deeply infringe on fundamental rights.