State Security Service (Stasi)

The State Security Service, known as the Stasi, was East Germany's secret police from 1950 to 1990. Its primary role was to monitor and suppress political opposition, ensure government control, and maintain the state's power. The Stasi operated through extensive surveillance, informants, and espionage, often infringing on citizens' privacy and freedoms. It collected information on friends, neighbors, and colleagues, creating a climate of suspicion and fear. After the fall of East Germany, the Stasi was disbanded, and its files were opened to the public, revealing the extent of its surveillance and impact on people's lives.