BERLIN, Sun Jun 16, 2013 - Germany's foreign intelligence agency (BND) plans to spend 100 million euros expanding its monitoring of the Internet, the weekly Der Spiegel reported on Sunday, saying the money would go on staff and technology.

The report came two days before US President Barack Obama was due to visit Berlin, where he was likely to face tough questions about US spying methods.

Many Germans from the former communist east still recall the blanket surveillance carried out by the Stasi secret police, and when news of Washington's covert electronic spying program PRISM broke last week, it caused outrage.

The BND was unavailable for comment.

Some German politicians criticized the plan, with Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger saying the answer to citizens' concerns about US spying could not be

"Let the Germans do it instead".

Opinion

Editorial

Climate choices
15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

PAKISTAN is out of reasons to treat climate change as tomorrow’s problem. The Economic Survey 2025-26 reports that...
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...
Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...