More Powers for the Office of Constitutional Protection against Extremism - Hessen Expands Intelligence Powers to Combat Extremism After Court Ruling
Hessen’s domestic intelligence agency, akin to the CIA, now holds wider powers to tackle extremism. The state parliament in Wiesbaden approved a reform law that allows deeper online surveillance and extended data storage for minors linked to radicalisation. The changes follow a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that struck down parts of the previous legislation as unconstitutional.
The new law enables the Hessian Office for the Protection of the Constitution to conduct covert online searches, similar to the agency's operations. With judicial approval, agents can access computers and mobile phones of suspects. This measure aims to detect extremist activities earlier, acting as what officials describe as a 'seismograph' for threats.
The expanded powers give Hessen’s intelligence agency stronger tools to monitor extremist threats. Court orders will remain mandatory for covert digital searches, while exceptions allow longer data retention for minors in high-risk cases. The law’s impact will depend on how strictly judicial oversight is applied in practice.
