Overview
- According to Der Spiegel, sample checks of several employee inboxes were conducted by teams of at least two people, though the number of accounts reviewed remains unclear.
- Minister Katherina Reiche was reportedly informed in advance of the operation, which the ministry would not confirm or deny.
- Nothing was found during the searches and the affected staff were notified only afterward, triggering anger and unease inside the ministry.
- The leaks concerned an early draft of an EEG amendment dated January 22 and a January 30 grid package paper whose proposals drew criticism from Greens, industry groups and the SPD.
- A ministry spokesperson emphasized the importance of protecting confidential information, while reporting suggests the checks were likely legally permissible yet viewed internally as problematic.