Cyber attacks and hybrid warfare: Germany gives sweeping powers to its police and intelligence services

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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) 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.