Security in the Bundestag election: Attempts to influence still “at a low level”

To what extent could hacking attacks and disinformation campaigns influence the election? The security authorities have informed about possible dangers – also from abroad. Minister Seehofer sees the authorities armed.

The federal security authorities are preparing for the increasing number of cyber attacks for the federal elections from Germany and abroad. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer and President of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution Thomas Haldenwang together with security experts informed about possible dangers in the run-up to the federal election.

The possible attacks included cyberstalking, verbal abuse as well as disruptive and sabotage actions, said the President of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Arne Schönbohm. It is also about identity and data theft.

Reports of phishing on MPs

Constitutional Protection President Haldenwang reported a wave of attacks on members of the Bundestag and the state parliaments that began in February, affecting a “low three-digit number” of MPs. It is about so-called phishing: the attackers try to steal data via fake emails, which they then want to use against the person concerned on a certain occasion. According to Haldenwang, these attacks were rarely successful. Major damage could have been avoided where the relevant mails were opened.

Attempts to influence other states are still “low”

In previous elections in Germany, attempts to influence other countries had been observed, Haldenwang said. The security authorities are currently also seeing the interest of certain states in influencing the federal election on September 26th. The intensity of these measures is still “at a low level”. However, they could be used to prepare for future actions. Haldenwang did not want to say which states are involved.

“Preparation and implementation of the election are safe”

Federal Minister of the Interior Seehofer also pointed out threats from home and abroad at the joint press conference. There is a lot of attention, for example, for “possible influence by Moscow and China”. The security authorities take this seriously. He didn’t want to be any more specific. “The security services already know who it is about.”

The authorities are doing everything in their power to ensure an election campaign that is fair and free from outside influence. “The preparation of the election and the conduct of the election are safe,” he added.

Election supervisor: system resilient

Federal Returning Officer Georg Thiel emphasized at the press conference that the autumn election was tamper-proof. The entire system is extremely resilient. “We have no voting machines” and it is “at the end of the voting slip that is counted there”. The postal vote, which has existed since 1957, is also safe. “To date, we have no evidence of irregularities to the extent that they could influence the election results.”

With a view to the coronavirus pandemic, Thiel said it was good that voters had the opportunity to vote by post. Haldenwang warned, however, that with a view to the election campaign “more extremist crimes are to be expected”. This applies to election posters or election events.