BND leak scandal strains German intelligence credibility; domestic agency chief downplays fallout

Sensitive data has reportedly leaked from Germany's foreign intelligence service (BND) for years, prompting the head of the domestic intelligence service (Verfassungsschutz) to call it an 'annoying situation' while seeking to reassure foreign partners. The scandal risks undermining trust in German intelligence-sharing relationships, though the full scope and source of the leak remain unconfirmed.