Hesse strengthens extremism laws with expanded surveillance powers

A controversial legal overhaul in Hesse hands authorities sharper tools to combat extremism—but with tighter oversight. Will the balance between security and privacy hold?

, and Administrator

2025 December 11 . 11:12 PM

1 min read

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Hesse strengthens extremism laws with expanded surveillance powers

Hesse has updated its State Constitution Protection Act to give authorities stronger tools against extremism. The new law expands the powers of the State Office for the Protection of the Constitution (LfV) while adjusting rules on data handling and oversight. Several related laws, including those on public safety and police volunteers, have also been amended as part of the reform.

The reformed law allows the LfV to keep data for longer in certain cases, with stricter rules for storing information on minors. It also narrows the list of offences where the agency can share data with law enforcement. Now, the LfV can conduct online searches of extremists’ devices—but only with a court order and police support.

The updated law gives the LfV more investigative powers while setting clearer limits on data retention. Courts and police will play a stronger role in overseeing sensitive operations like online searches. The reforms aim to improve extremism prevention while ensuring legal safeguards remain in place.