German student confesses to hacking of Merkel’s data

By Ayhan Simsek </p> <p>BERLIN (AA) – A German student has confessed to carrying out hacks on personal data of Chancellor Angela Merkel and hundreds of politicians, police said on Tuesday.</p> <p>The 20-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, a few days after the authorities discovered the massive data leak — which included private information, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and correspondence of politicians and other public figures.</p> <p>The Federal Criminal Office (BKA) said in a statement that the suspect confessed to hacking private data of politicians, journalists and celebrities, and leaking them using several anonymous Twitter accounts.</p> <p>The suspect told investigators that he was angry with statements made by these public figures. </p> <p>BKA President Holger Muench said early indications suggest that the suspect did not have any political or ideological motivation. </p> <p>Local media had speculated the hacker could be a far-right sympathizer.