Germany is on the brink of a massive transformation of its security system. On July 10, the Bundestag approved a new law that radically expands the powers of the federal police. This is the first such legislative act since 1994, and it grants law enforcement agencies access to cutting-edge technologies: unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence, and in-depth telecommunication monitoring.
The government argues that the reform is necessary to keep pace with technological progress and the changing nature of threats. However, the document has sparked a heated reaction in society, dividing experts into two camps: those who welcome the modernization and those who see it as a threat to democratic freedoms.
Technologies of Total Control
The most discussed point of the new law is the permission to use AI-based facial recognition systems. Now, the federal police will be able to apply these technologies in public places under their jurisdiction: in airports, long-distance train stations, and border zones.
But innovations are not limited to facial identification. The police will gain access to 'behavior recognition' systems. AI algorithms will analyze video feeds from surveillance cameras, assessing whether a person is behaving in a threatening manner. For example, the system could interpret preparation for a strike or suspicious movements in a crowd and immediately alert officers.
'Nervous Passenger' as a Criminal
It is precisely the possibility of algorithmic behavior assessment that has sparked the most acute criticism during parliamentary debates. Clara Bünger, a member of the Left Party, gave a vivid example that amused representatives of the ruling coalition but illustrates the real risks of false positives:
"Imagine: your train is delayed by two hours. You are angry and pacing nervously on the platform. For artificial intelligence, this is already 'suspicious aimless loitering'. It decides that you are a pickpocket," Bünger stated.
Critics fear that such technologies, previously used by state police on a spot basis, will now become a tool for constant mass surveillance across the country.
The Battle for Privacy
Activists defending digital rights compare what is happening to the practices of authoritarian states. Michael Kolain, head of the policy department at the Berlin Center for Digital Rights and Democracy, described the situation with the metaphor of a dam breaking: "Effectively, anonymity in public space is being abolished. We see such measures in China, Iran, and Russia, but they are extremely atypical for Germany".
Particular concern is caused by the expansion of capabilities for 'preventive surveillance' through the hacking of user devices. Experts warn that this creates a risk of confidential data leaking into the hands of security forces, which in the worst case is equivalent to reading citizens' private correspondence.
Legal and Ethical Dilemmas
Professor of Law at the German Police University in Münster, Markus Till, acknowledges the validity of the concerns but considers them part of the natural reaction to the expansion of law enforcement powers. In his opinion, the problem arises when algorithms work opaquely, and a citizen cannot find out exactly how their data is being processed. "The police need modern tools. I don't see a problem with them if they are properly written into the law," Till noted.
At the same time, human rights organizations are preparing the ground for a hearing at the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany. Proponents of privacy believe that the law contradicts the constitution, however, court proceedings could drag on for years, while the new regulations will already come into force.
The question of balancing security and freedom in the digital age now stands before Germany more sharply than ever before.
