Intelligence service reforms expand surveillance and information powers in Germany and Switzerland

Legislative reforms in Germany and Switzerland are expanding the powers of national intelligence services.

In Germany, a government draft for intelligence law reform aims to grant the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Federal Intelligence Service the authority to request information from entities obligated under the Money Laundering Act (GwG). This change significantly impacts financial and insurance intermediaries. For instance, insurance brokers who facilitate even a single relevant life insurance product per year may fall under these new requirements.

In Switzerland, the Council of States has approved a partial revision of the Intelligence Service Act. This reform grants the Federal Intelligence Service (NDB) broader surveillance capabilities to address a deteriorating security situation characterized by hybrid conflicts and violent extremism. The new measures allow for activities such as wiretapping and searches to be used against violent extremism, whereas previously such measures were primarily restricted to terrorism, espionage, or attacks on critical infrastructure.