German Police Begin Raiding Homes of Citizens Who Share ‘Non-Mainstream Content’ Online
The German government has unveiled plans to allow police to secretly raid the homes of citizens who view or share non-mainstream content on social media.
Der Spiegel and RND reported that the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) may soon be allowed raid homes secretly and without a warrant.
According to the draft, police could also install spyware on suspects’ computers or smartphones and conduct covert searches of their homes if they are suspected to have anti-establishment views.
Independentsentinel.com reports: A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry will not discuss details of the proposal but told Der Spiegel on Wednesday that security agencies must have the necessary powers to counter evolving threats effectively.
This is against German law. The inviolability of the home is enshrined in Article 13 of the German constitution.
Unless there is an “imminent threat,” the current search process requires a warrant from the prosecutor’s office. Police must inform the person of specific suspicions and the purpose of the search.
The Free Democratic Party does not support “Stasi 2.0.” Bundestag member Manuel Hoferlin said the secrecy surrounding searches was very concerning.
The German Association of Journalists (DJV) has also come out strongly against the plans, with Federal Chairman Mika Beuster warning that journalists and whistleblowers could be affected by secret break-ins reminiscent of methods used by “police states.”
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