Germany’s cabinet has approved measures to grant intelligence services new powers to hack communications and disrupt foreign adversaries’ operations. The measures would allow both the BND, the foreign intelligence service, and the BfV, the domestic security service, broader authority to access digital communications, collect data, and carry out active operations to thwart attacks.
Enhanced Security Measures
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the measures, which would incorporate artificial intelligence tools, would “revolutionize Germany’s security architecture”. The measures have drawn criticism from some civil liberties groups, with Konstantin von Notz from the opposition Greens party expressing concern over the granting of expanded powers to the domestic security services.
The plan would create more detailed legal bases for cyber investigations and centralize control under the Independent Control Council, an external supervisory body. Telecoms, digital platforms, transport operators, and financial intermediaries could be ordered to hand over data, backed by fines and on-site inspections.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
