Security and surveillance is once again becoming a hotly debated talking point in the wake of Monday's terror attack on a Christmas market in central Berlin.

Speaking to German newspaper "Passauer Neuen Presse," Saarland Interior Minister Klaus Bouillon on Wednesday said, "It is time to eliminate the barriers to monitoring suspects' telephone conversations."

He also proposed a revamped law for monitoring popular online encrypted messaging services, such as WhatsApp, and said he aims to table a proposal by next month.

Bouillon, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said, "It cannot be the case that a company can make billions with WhatsApp, while at the same allowing criminals to organize, direct young people and obstruct our authorities by not providing the necessary encryption codes."

The so-called "Islamic State" (IS) on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the attack on the group's Amaq news agency, which saw 12 people killed and at least 48 injured.

Germany beefs up video surveillance

Germany's federal cabinet on Wednesday morning voted in favor of Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere's proposals to introduce more video surveillance of public areas and public transport networks.

The new amendment to Germany's data protection law, which historically values privacy rights, makes data protection commissioners give greater weight to the "protection of life, health and freedom" when considering the use of video surveillance.

The proposal had been in the pipeline since July, after a mass shooting in Munich killed 10 people, including the perpetrator, and a suicide bombing in Ansbach that injured 15. However, it was accelerated through the cabinet after authorities scrambled for video footage of Monday's suspected perpetrator.

The new law also permits police officers to wear body cams, a measure intended to increase security for offices after a rise in violent attacks against them in recent months.

De Maiziere will also meet on Wednesday with federal prosecutors and other state authorities to discuss the Berlin attack and subsequent measures.

Increasing the BND's powers?

According to Bouillon, greater information sharing among the police and main intelligence service, the BND, is needed to effectively introduce sweeping surveillance policies.

While Germany boasts some of the world's toughest privacy laws, the government has in recent months sought to recalibrate the country's balance between security and privacy. Following a series of attacks over the summer - two of which were also claimed by IS - the German lower house of parliament in October passed a comprehensive reform of the country's foreign intelligence service, the BND. Updates to the legislation strengthened government monitoring of intelligence activities while allowing the BND to carry out certain types of surveillance activities.

However, the Left Party's Frank Tempel claimed on Wednesday that increased surveillance was not necessarily the best approach to tackling terrorism. Speaking to a Berlin broadcaster, he said potential perpetrators are generally able to adjust to their environment and warned that extended video surveillance would be little more than a "placebo for a subjective feeling of security."

Because of Germany's dictatorial past, where surveillance was commonplace and often applied as a political weapon, there is close scrutiny of surveillance laws.

In order to implement de Maiziere's video surveillance laws, Germany's Data Protection Act is to be amended in such that places greater security value on security before a authorities make a decision concerning surveillance.

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures Police search for attacker Police on Wednesday intensified a manhunt for the driver of a truck that plowed through a Christmas market crowd in a busy shopping district in Berlin on Monday night. The militant "Islamic State" group claimed responsibility for the assault. Berlin police chief Klaus Kandt urged people to be "particularly​ vigilant."

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures Searching for suspects Police initially detained a 23-year-old asylum-seeker from Pakistan in connection with the attack. Authorities released him on Tuesday, citing a lack of evidence. Berlin police admitted they may have apprehended the wrong suspect. The driver of the truck is believed to be at large. Authorities said one or more fugitives were likely armed and dangerous.

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures City in shock Many gathered to place candles, roses and signs near the site of the attack. Memorials to the victims arose just hours after a truck plowed into a Christmas market in the heart of the city. Police remain on high alert in Berlin - and across the rest of Germany.

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures 'This was a terrorist attack' Condolences have been pouring in from all over the world. "A country is united in mourning," Chancellor Angela Merkel told the nation on Tuesday morning. Calling it a terrorist attack for the first time, Merkel described the incident as "cruel and beyond comprehension."

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures Heightened police presence Heavily armed police patrol the entrance to a Christmas market in the German city of Hamburg. The holiday markets in Germany remained open following the attack in Berlin, but with heavier police presence and tighter security measures.

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures What happened A truck carrying steel beams drove straight into a crowded Christmas market in a popular shopping area in Berlin late Monday evening. This image is reminiscent of a similar attack in Nice last July, in which 86 people were killed when a man drove a truck through a crowd. In response to the Berlin tragedy, France has beefed up security at its own Christmas markets.

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures The victims Police have confirmed 12 deaths so far - six of whom were German nationals. Another 49 people were wounded, some seriously. Rescue workers set up emergency tents on site after the attack. Many of the wounded have been able to leave the hospital.

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures Where it happened Breitscheidplatz, the square in front of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, is a popular tourist destination. To the northeast of Breitscheidplatz is the Berlin Bahnhof Zoo, and to the south is the famous Kurfürstendamm shopping street.

Berlin attack: an overview in pictures Clean-up efforts "Our investigators are working on the assumption that the truck was deliberately steered into the crowd at the Christmas market," police said on Twitter on Tuesday. The truck has meanwhile been towed and taken in for a forensic examination.



dm/sms (dpa, AFP, Reuters)