The key facts

  • The Bundestag approved the law expanding cyberattack defense powers with votes from the ruling CDU/CSU and SPD coalition
  • The BSI, the Federal Police and the BKA will gain the right to ban the operation of threatening IT systems, redirect traffic and access data with the ability to delete or modify it
  • The law still has to pass the Bundesrat, which has already demanded revisions, mainly due to the burden on businesses

What the Bundestag approved

The Bundestag on Thursday approved a billexpanding the powers of Germany's security agencies to protect against cyberattacks. According to Anadolu, the law was supported by the ruling CDU/CSU alliance and its junior coalition partner, the SPD, while the opposition parties — Alternative for Germany, the Left and the Greens — voted against, and some deputies sharply criticized the document.

New powers for the agencies

The law grants the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the Federal Police and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) additional tools to counter cyberattacks. The proposed powers include banning the operation of IT systems deemed threatening, redirecting data traffic, and access to data with the ability to delete or modify it.

Arguments of the parties

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told deputies that Germany is 'building up its capabilities in cyberspace.' According to him, 'active cyber defense is becoming a key element of our security architecture,' and the country 'is restarting its security policy in light of hybrid threats, foreign powers and cyberattacks.' Green Party representative Konstantin von Notz, on the contrary, criticized the law, saying that it 'does not provide the necessary clarity, but instead creates counterproductive, redundant structures.'

What's next

The law still needs approval from the upper chamber — the Bundesrat, which has already demanded revisions. The main objections concern the burden the legislation will place on businesses. Thus, despite the vote in the Bundestag, the final fate of the document remains undecided.