Germany Plans to Give Intelligence Services Sweeping New Powers to Tackle Hybrid Threats

Germany is planning sweeping new powers for its intelligence services to better respond to rising “hybrid threats,” officials say. The proposals would expand the foreign spy agency’s ability beyond information gathering to more intrusive surveillance and certain operational activities, including access to more sensitive data. The effort faces opposition and rights concerns, with critics warning that increased powers and reduced oversight could weaken democratic safeguards. Germany’s debate is shaped by historical limits imposed after Nazi abuses to prevent a repeat of past surveillance excesses.