Stasi records

Stasi records are files maintained by East Germany’s secret police, known as the Stasi, documenting the activities, communications, and relationships of individuals suspected of dissent or opposition. These files aimed to monitor, control, and influence public behavior during the Cold War era. After German reunification in 1990, many of these records were preserved and later made accessible to the public and researchers, offering insight into the surveillance practices and the extent of government intrusion into citizens' private lives. They serve as an important historical resource for understanding state security and civil liberties during that time.