Tasks

According to section 3 of the Bundesverfassungsschutzgesetz (BVerfSchG/Act regulating the cooperation between the Federation and the Federal States in matters relating to the protection of the constitution and on the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) BfV and the Landesämter für Verfassungsschutz (LfV/State Offices for the Protection of the Constitution) have been tasked with the collection and analysis of "information, intelligence and other documents" concerning

1. efforts

• directed against the free democratic basic order or


• against the existence and the security of the Federation or one of its States or


• jeopardising foreign concerns of the Federal Republic of Germany by the use of violence or the preparation thereof or


• directed against the idea of international understanding (Art 9, par 2 of the Grundgesetz GG/the German constitution), especially against the peaceful coexistence of peoples

2. intelligence activities carried out on behalf of a foreign power (counterintelligence)
3. Moreover, BfV, in conformity with section 3, subsection 2 BVerfSchG contributes to protective security and countersabotage.
The offices for the protection of the constitution collect by far most of their information form overt and generally accessible sources, which means from printed material like newspapers, flyers, programs and appeals. BfV staff members attend public events and also interview individuals who are in a position to give pertinent information. In these conversations held on a voluntary basis, BfV's staff members act overtly. However, the collection of information with intelligence means is an indispensable instrument, too. These means include the handling of trusted agents (individuals recruited from the extremist scene, no members of the protection of the constitution offices) in extremist circles, covert surveillance and, if necessary, mail and telephone interception which is subject to the authorisation and control by a parliamentary body. The protection of the constitution agencies are subject to the rules of law and the principle of proportionality.