New Delhi, Nov. 14 -- Germany's Bundestag has approved a reform package expanding the powers of the country's intelligence agencies, including allowing the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) to launch counterattacks against cyber operations by foreign powers, according to DW.

The package passed on Friday with support from the governing CDU/CSU and Social Democratic Party coalition. Opposition lawmakers specializing in domestic policy warned that the new authorities were too broad, DW reported.

BND gains cyber counterattack powers

Under the rules described by DW, the BND's response options range from deleting or manipulating data to disabling entire systems. The measures could also include destroying physical weapons, such as drones tha...