German intelligence could support govt after hacker attack

German home secretary Thomas de Maiziere (CDU) has offered the government the support of domestic intelligence service (BfV) following a large-scale hacker attack, handelsblatt.com reports. Because there is evidence that the attack was launched by a foreign intelligence service, the BfV is responsible for counterintelligence.

Ministers will still have to vote on his offer. Some members of the parliament have reservations about including the intelligence service, with opposition in particular worried that the BfV will read MPs’ emails without authorisation. The leader of the parliamentary Left Party, Petra Pau, does not understand de Maiziere’s motion; according to her, it is self-evident that the BfV should inform the government of any findings regarding the attack.