Germany: Bundestag approves intelligence-service reform bill
The approved bill expands BND and BfV capabilities, amid debate over safeguards for civil rights.
Germany’s Bundestag approved the government’s intelligence-service reform bill in an amended form on Friday, November 13. The parliament’s official roll-call record lists 308 votes in favour, 190 against and 71 abstentions.
The approved bill strengthens intelligence collection and analysis by the BND, Germany’s foreign intelligence service, and the BfV, the federal domestic intelligence agency. It also provides intervention powers under specified conditions in threat situations and includes provisions for using artificial intelligence and biometric image matching.
The government links the reform to espionage, sabotage and cyberattacks. Parliamentary debate raised concerns about personal-data protection and the separation between police and intelligence powers. The government argued that the expanded capabilities were accompanied by restrictions and oversight.
The verified development is Bundestag approval; promulgation or entry into force has not been established.
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