Germany gives sweeping powers to police, intelligence services

Drone sightings and cyberattacks have heightened security concerns. How are the police preparing to meet these challenges? And how do intelligence services plan to counter threats from both domestic and foreign sources? Germany's intelligence agencies have been given wide-ranging new powers.

The lawmakers in the Bundestag agreed to a reform package on Friday. Under the new rules, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Germany's foreign intelligence service, will be allowed to respond to cyberattacks by foreign powers with counterattacks of its own. The range of possible measures is broad, from deleting and manipulating data to disabling entire systems and, if necessary, even destroying physical weapons such as drones that could be deployed against Germany. Under certain conditions, the agencies will also be permitted to enter homes and business premises covertly, for example, to prepare surveillance operations.

They will, however, not be allowed to use force against people. An independent oversight board is to be established to monitor the agencies.