Germany’s cabinet approved a draft law that would let its foreign and domestic intelligence agencies carry out hacking and sabotage operations and compel telecom and digital providers to help. The 732-page bill would expand powers for the BND and BfV to disrupt foreign systems, block or reroute data traffic, alter transmissions, corrupt stored data, disable equipment, and in some cases run deception operations; it still must pass parliament and includes formal approval and review requirements.
Why it matters: This would materially expand state cyber and surveillance powers in one of Europe’s largest democracies, affecting service providers and people whose communications or systems could be targeted or intercepted. It matters now because telecom and digital firms may face new legal obligations, while civil-liberties and security communities will need to track how broadly the final law authorizes offensive cyber operations and compelled assistance.
2026.08.13
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This article establishes the story by reporting the cabinet’s approval of a specific draft law that would newly authorize offensive cyber and sabotage powers for Germany’s intelligence agencies.
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