The federal cabinet has approved expanded digital investigative powers for the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the Federal Police.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) described the new capabilities, announced in Berlin on Wednesday, as a “major milestone”. According to Dobrindt, these expanded powers will allow law enforcement agencies to utilize automated data analysis, biometric internet matching, and artificial intelligence in investigations.
Dobrindt stated that the threat landscape has changed, noting that the methods employed by opponents against the rule of law and society have continued to evolve. Therefore, he argued, it is necessary to equip the police and domestic intelligence services with new tools to confront terrorism and organized crime more effectively.
He emphasized that the sheer volume of data encountered during investigations has multiplied in recent years, making the use of artificial intelligence mandatory for proper data evaluation. Another critical component of the new legislation is biometric data matching, a method that reportedly allows security authorities to compare online photographs against existing images, and which has demonstrated success in the past. Furthermore, Dobrindt highlighted that agencies will now have the ability to train and adapt artificial intelligence systems themselves for specialized use within police operations.