Bavaria at heart of corrupted spying software

11/10/11 00:13 CET

world news

| |

Bavarian state officials in Germany have confirmed they authorised the use of controversial spying software which has created an uproar across the country.

At the weekend a German hacker group said it had found a back door programme for spying on Skype communications, alleging it was being used by German security agencies.

The problem is the software has flaws putting the infected computer at risk of serious attack by others.

Federal Justice Minister Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said: “If there is a real case it must be thoroughly investigated and also there should be a lawful ordinance which clearly lays out when and in what situations this type of software can be used.”

Attention turned to Bavaria after a lawyer said his client had the software installed on his computer during a customs check. Spying software can be used legally by the government but not for more than intercepting internet based communications.

More about: Cyber attacks, Germany, Internet, Political scandal

| |

Mali: Rebel groups agree to creation of Islamic state

Two Rebel groups have agreed to merge and create an independent Islamic state in Northern Mali. After seizing Azawad – an area larger than France – two months ago, the groups had initially disagreed, with the secular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)…