Berlin: Germany's domestic intelligence agency is planning to expand its counterintelligence operations to include friendly countries following revelations about the United States' extensive spying programme, a senior German security official said.

The disclosure of eavesdropping by the US National Security Agency, which media reports said included tapping German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cellphone, have been a wake-up call for a state that traditionally did not spy on its allies.

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. Credit:Reuters

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has until now only systematically observed countries of concern, while allies in the European Union and NATO were observed only if there was a concrete suspicion, such as that they were spying on Germany or recruiting spies in the country, the official said.

But given the NSA revelations, the agency will in future need to have a 360-degree view which will include friendly countries, the official said.