In Germany’s Grand Coalition a dispute is beginning over the future powers of the country’s cyber‑security agencies. Johannes Schätzl, the SPD’s digital‑policy spokesperson in the Bundestag, has cautioned the Federal Ministry of the Interior against granting the Federal Police, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), and the Federal Office for Information‑Security (BSI) broad authority to carry out digital counter‑attacks.
The debate stems from a draft law that would allow these agencies to intervene directly in foreign IT systems. While Schätzl welcomes a general strengthening of cyber‑defence, he draws a firm line against offensive measures. “There are clear red lines: I reject hackbacks as a form of digital counter‑attack” he told the “Handelsblatt” on Monday. He argued that only a precise legal definition of what constitutes a “hackback” can ensure that powers, limits, and responsibilities are enforceable.
Additionally, Schätzl considers it problematic to intrude into or manipulate systems unless it can be unquestionably established that the target is the attacker’s infrastructure. “Premature responses risk hitting innocent parties or escalating existing conflicts” he warned.
Schätzl also stresses the need for an international legal framework. “International law and the Geneva Conventions also set natural and binding limits on state conduct in cyberspace” he said. He added that any measures must not erode international legal norms or endanger civilian infrastructure.
