Germany passes intelligence reform law, authorizing secret home entries for surveillance

Published Aug 12, 06:06 PM UTC

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The German federal government passed a major intelligence reform package on August 12, 2026, aimed at modernizing the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Interior Minister Dobrindt called it a 'revolution' and 'turning point.' The 732-page law grants the BND new powers to actively counter threats, including shutting down hacker groups, spreading disinformation, and manipulating dangerous components. The BND can now store content data for six months and metadata for 12 months. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution will be allowed to conduct online searches of computers and smartphones using spy software (state Trojan) and secretly enter apartments to install surveillance devices, though not to conduct traditional searches. The secret home entry provision has sparked outrage and is expected to face a constitutional challenge. The reform also establishes a Control Council for oversight.

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Source

taz.de - taz.deWestern

Original headline: Geheimdienstreform: Heimliche Hausbesuche sollen erlaubt werden

Original language: DE

Part of this Story

Germany Approves Landmark Intelligence Reform Granting Expanded Powers

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