Massive data leak targets German officials including Merkel

– Account suspended –

A link to Merkel’s data showed two email addresses used by the chancellor, a fax number and letters apparently written by her and to her.

By midday Friday, Twitter had suspended the account.

Last year, the domestic intelligence service, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, said there had been repeated cyberattacks against MPs, the military and several embassies that were allegedly carried out by Russian internet espionage group “Snake”.

Also known as “Turla” or “Uruburos”, the group — which targets state departments and embassies worldwide — is believed to have links to Russian intelligence.

Last March, computer networks belonging to the German government came under sustained attack and data from foreign ministry staff were stolen.

At the time, Moscow denied that Russian hackers were involved.