Berlin, October 26 (RHC)-- Germany has launched an investigation into a new case of alleged spying by the U.S. National Security Agency, a report says. The probe was launched by Germany's federal prosecutors against unknown persons over "espionage activities," Germen news Magazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday.

The case is centered on a spying virus called Regin which was allegedly found on the computer of the department chief at the office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The virus, found last year, permits monitoring of all data present on a infected computer.

A federal prosecution service spokeswoman told AFP on Saturday that, "We can confirm that there is an inquiry" concerning "malicious software" by the name Regin, but declined to give further details.

According to the magazine, the virus is undoubtedly linked to the NSA or even its UK equivalent, the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

The latest spying incident follows an investigation into the United States’ spying on Merkel's mobile phone, which was revealed by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The United Nations recently released a report urging governments to protect those who leak information, as they are often silenced and intimidated.