# German spies handed new powers to tackle ‘hybrid threats’ from abroad

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/german-spies-handed-new-powers-to-tackle-hybrid-threats-from-abroad/
- Published: 2026-11-13T15:42:52+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T21:05:35+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6jre3z03w4go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Europe, World

## Key points

- Germany has approved expanded powers for its intelligence services.
- The BND may conduct covert operations abroad, including sabotage.
- Critics say the changes risk eroding limits on secret services.

## Summary

Germany’s parliament has approved a major expansion of the powers of its foreign and domestic intelligence services, aimed at countering espionage, terrorism and sabotage. The government says the change responds to rising threats from abroad, while critics warn it weakens the separation between intelligence agencies and the police.

The BND foreign service will be able to carry out covert operations abroad, including sabotage, while the BfV domestic service can take protective action against property and IT systems when it identifies specific threats. Its new powers include disrupting data flows, altering maliciously stored information and, with prior authorisation, covertly entering homes; it can also monitor encrypted communications and use AI-assisted analysis. The bill passed by 309 votes to 190, with 71 abstentions.

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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.