The Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany has implemented restrictions on the use of mobile phones and other gadgets by its employees due to increased risks of espionage from the Russian Federation and China. According to Spiegel, a security directive was disseminated within the ministry in mid-February, prohibiting employees from bringing smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches to meetings classified as “secret.”
These restrictions specifically apply to discussions concerning the planning of exercises, military operations, and army readiness. Employees are required to store their personal devices in designated lockers in the corridors before these meetings. These prohibitions also extend to service offices where classified documents are stored, encompassing most premises in the Bendlerblock complex in Berlin.
The reason for these measures lies in the rising threat of espionage, which may be used to facilitate sabotage activities within the country. The Bundeswehr is considered a priority target for foreign intelligence services, particularly those of Russia and China. While the majority of Ministry of Defense employees use service mobile devices with enhanced security, restrictions on popular messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, compel them to rely on personal devices.
According to assessments by the German security service, personal phones are vulnerable to cyberattacks, including application exploits or phishing campaigns. As the ministry lacks control over such devices, espionage interventions could remain undetected for extended periods. Simultaneously, the newly introduced rules within the Ministry of Defense are more lenient than those in other structures. For instance, the German Federal Intelligence Service entirely prohibits the use of personal gadgets, and their use is strictly regulated within NATO’s framework.