Stasi (Ministry for State Security)

The Stasi, officially known as the Ministry for State Security, was East Germany’s secret police from 1950 to 1990. It was responsible for espionage, surveillance, and political repression to maintain the communist regime. The Stasi used spies, informants, and wiretaps to monitor citizens, often invading personal privacy to control dissent. Its extensive network made it one of the most effective and oppressive intelligence agencies of its time, instilling fear among the population. After the fall of East Germany, the Stasi was disbanded, and its archives provided insight into the extent of state surveillance.