Germany's Bundestag has voted to expand the powers of the country's foreign and domestic intelligence services, the BND and BfV, according to Al Arabiya.
The overhaul allows active cyber countermeasures, limited covert operations abroad and broader access to electronic devices.
Assessment
Germany's intelligence agencies just got a significant operational upgrade. The Bundestag has authorized active cyber countermeasures and limited covert operations abroad, moving beyond passive surveillance. This shifts the BND and BfV from information gatherers to actors who can disrupt threats. The broader access to electronic devices raises immediate questions about privacy safeguards and judicial oversight. Watch for legal challenges and how other EU nations react to Germany's new posture.