'R2D2' Trojan Spies on German Citizens

German police may be using a sophisticated Trojan to tap the Skype calls and IM chats of citizens without their knowledge, a so then-known hacking group alleges.

The use of a Bundestrojaner

German wiretap laws permit the use of a "Bundestrojaner," or "federal Trojan," to spy on criminal or terrorist suspects by recording their Voice over Internet Protocol conversations, just as those transmitted over Skype. The German federal government has denied it is using R2D2, The Register said. It's as well possible that a German state police agency may be using it independently.

According to Graham Cluley, senior research consultant for the security firm Sophos, the Trojan was found on the hard drive of a German lawyer's client as the client passed through customs at Munich Airport.