Germany: Germany's government has approved a draft legislation designed to enhance the country's cyber defense capabilities by granting authorities new powers to directly counter cyberattacks. The draft legislation, described as a significant development in Germany's security framework, was introduced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who emphasized its focus on "proactive" cyber defense.

According to Anadolu Agency, Dobrindt announced at a news conference that the new measures would allow the government to disrupt and dismantle attackers' systems and infrastructure, even if they are located abroad. The initiative aims to address the persistent threat of cyberattacks targeting Germany, attributed to foreign powers and state-linked groups targeting various sectors, including industry, government institutions, and political entities.

Minister Dobrindt clarified that the proposed legislation would not involve retaliatory cyber strikes, commonly known as "hackbacks," but would instead concentrate on neutralizing threats and preventing potential damage. He stated, "We act directly against the attacker. We switch off their ability to attack."

The draft law proposes to expand the authority of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the federal police Bundespolizei, and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). These agencies would be empowered to collect, store, and analyze data pertinent to cyber threats, with telecommunications companies and major digital platforms required to disseminate BSI warnings regarding specific risks to their users.

The draft legislation is set to be debated in the German parliament in the coming weeks, and it must secure approval through a parliamentary vote before implementation.