Due to concerns over espionage attacks, Boris Pistorius’s (SPD) ministry has significantly restricted the use of personal mobile phones within the Ministry of Defense and various German Armed Forces offices. According to a current security directive reported by “Der Spiegel”, personal devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or smartwatches are prohibited from being brought into in-person or virtual meetings discussing material classified as “highly confidential-for official use only” or higher. This rule is particularly strict when planning exercises or deployments, or when discussing the readiness of the armed forces. Before such appointments, all personal devices must be secured in lockers located in the hallways. The restriction also applies to offices where documents classified as “highly confidential” are stored. The directive states that the basis for this measure is the significant threat posed by espionage, which could also be used to prepare acts of sabotage. The warning notes that the armed forces are currently a “priority intelligence target, especially for Russian espionage activities” and that China pursues a “strategic and long-term approach to intelligence gathering”.
Politics
