The German Bundestag has adopted an intelligence reform law that significantly expands the capabilities of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).
According to De Walt, the aim of the reform is to fight espionage, terrorism and sabotage.
Until now, the activities of the German intelligence services were mainly focused on gathering information, but now they will be allowed to carry out active operations.
In particular, BND will be able to carry out cyber attacks on foreign information systems, delete or replace data and redirect Internet traffic.
In addition, intelligence agencies will be allowed to use artificial intelligence to analyze biometric information.
The expansion of powers will also affect counterintelligence.
Subject to certain conditions, BfV employees will be allowed to secretly enter private apartments.
In exceptional cases, the intelligence services will also be able to involve teenagers over the age of 16 as informants.
The German Minister of the Interior, Alexander Dobrindt, said that intelligence structures will now have the ability to conduct full-fledged special operations.