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Germany investigates claims of NSA-backed malware spying

When word got out that both the US' NSA and the UK's GCHQ were likely using purpose-built Regin malware for their spying campaigns, that raised more than a few alarm bells... including in the German government, apparently. The country's prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into a report that Regin infected (and thus monitored) the laptop of a Chancellery division leader. Officials aren't jumping to conclusions yet, but it's easy to guess where their suspicions lie -- the concern is that allies are hacking into the devices of multiple German higher-ups, not just its Chancellor. If the evidence holds up, it could worsen political relationships that have already turned a bit sour.

[Image credit: Frank Rumpenhorst/AFP/Getty Images]