Anti-terrorism spy bill approved

After months of debate, Germany’s lower house of Parliament passed anti-terrorism legislation granting federal police the capacity to spy on computer use and wiretap conversations.

Those powers have been held only by Germany’s foreign intelligence service. The measure is expected to easily pass the upper house and take effect before the end of the year.

The bill has been sharply criticized as infringing on the privacy rights guaranteed by the constitution. Members of the opposition Free Democratic Party have said they will challenge it in the constitutional court.