Joint Interception Center Is Nearly at Full Staffing Levels

The police’s cross-state wiretapping center has now reached nearly full staffing levels. According to a statement from the Saxon Ministry of the Interior in response to an inquiry, the “Joint Competence and Service Center (GKDZ)”—as it is officially known—currently has 35 employees. By the time the center becomes fully operational, the number of employees is expected to reach 40. 

The surveillance center is scheduled to begin operations in 2027, the ministry announced. In order for the police forces of the five participating states to conduct surveillance through the center, they must be connected to the software and infrastructure. This is to be done individually and sequentially.

IT and staffing issues caused delays

The GKDZ, headquartered in Leipzig, was originally supposed to be operational as early as 2024. Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia are participating in the project. However, there were difficulties with the programming of the telecommunications surveillance system, as well as staffing issues at the contracted company. TKÜ stands for telecommunications surveillance.

The surveillance center was established in 2017 through an intergovernmental agreement. The police may use telecommunications surveillance only to investigate serious crimes—such as murder or suspected terrorism. To this end, landlines or cell phones, as well as communications via messaging apps like WhatsApp, can be tapped. The center is intended to serve as a service provider for the state police forces.