# Cyber attacks and hybrid warfare: Germany gives sweeping powers to its police and intelligence services

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/cyber-attacks-and-hybrid-warfare-germany-gives-sweeping-powers-to-its-police-and-intelligence-services/
- Published: 2026-11-13T15:26:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T16:53:57+00:00
- Original publisher: DW (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.dw.com/en/cyber-attacks-and-hybrid-warfare-germany-gives-sweeping-powers-to-its-police-and-intelligence-services/a-79941507?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Topics: Cybersecurity, Europe, Technology, World

## Key points

- Germany’s intelligence services gain wider powers to counter hybrid threats.
- The BND can disable systems and destroy threatening drones.
- The changes renew debate over oversight and police-intelligence boundaries.

## Summary

Germany’s parliament has approved a reform giving its intelligence services broader powers to respond to cyberattacks and other hybrid threats, amid heightened concern about cyberattacks and drone sightings. The changes mark a significant expansion of the state’s security capabilities and renew debate over how to balance effective threat response with safeguards on government power.

The foreign intelligence service, the BND, may counter foreign cyberattacks by deleting or altering data, disabling systems and, when necessary, destroying weapons such as drones. Agencies may also enter homes or business premises covertly to prepare surveillance, but cannot use force against people; an independent board will oversee them. The governing CDU/CSU and SPD backed the package, while opposition lawmakers cautioned against overly broad powers. The reform also raises questions about the long-standing separation between police investigations and intelligence gathering, established after the Nazi era.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.