Faeser plans stricter monitoring in the security-relevant area
Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser (SPD), has proposed a plan on how security-relevant areas of the state and economy can be better protected against spies and saboteurs in the future. Her draft for a new Security Clearance Act includes, among other things, the requirement that someone who is subjected to a security clearance check due to their activities in such areas, in the future, must report "immediately all contacts with foreign intelligence services that may indicate an approach or solicitation," in writing to the competent authority. This also applies to contacts of spouses or partners.
Internet searches should be part of a security clearance check in the future and should also include social networks, as they "represent a significant instrument for the dissemination of extremist content." To gain security-relevant insights into people who are to be entrusted with duties in one of the higher security levels - (U_2) and (U_3) - a search should be required even according to the draft. "Enemies of the constitution have nothing to do in public service," said Faeser. "We will not allow our democratic rule of law state to be sabotaged from within by extremists." The draft was sent for comment to the federal states and associations on Thursday.
The security clearance check is intended to help reduce potential risks. Members of certain professional groups, such as soldiers, are generally required to undergo such a check. In addition to them, employees are usually checked who deal with state secrets or who work at a sensitive position in a life- or defense-critical institution.
The legislative proposal also provides for an extension of mandatory checking measures with a view to preventive sabotage protection. This concerns, for example, personnel in the IT and communication technology sector in the highest federal authorities or in critical infrastructure areas such as power grid control centers or railways. Those who want to work here should be checked more strictly in the future. This should prevent sabotage acts by so-called insiders.
According to the draft, costs of around 18 million Euros per year are to be expected from the planned regulations at the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Military Counter-Intelligence Service (MAD), and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND).
Faeser emphasized the importance of reporting contacts with foreign intelligence services, stating that this requirement extends to spouses or partners as well, under the new Security Clearance Act she proposed. Within the scope of this act, Internet searches and social network activity will be closely monitored for potential extremist content, which signifies a broader range of scrutiny for security-related positions.
