Horst Seehofer wants to allow intelligence officials to plant software known as “state trojans” on electronic devices

German interior ministry plans to extend the surveillance powers of its spy agencies will allow them to hack into journalists’ computers and “bring down one of the pillars of the free press”, campaigners have warned.

Horst Seehofer, the conservative minister in charge of the security services, has prepared a draft law under which intelligence officials would be able to plant software known as “state trojans” on electronic devices.

Critics have described the legislation, which would also make it easier for the police to request assistance from government hackers, as a “catalogue of Orwellian fantasies”.

Mr Seehofer’s aides say that it is needed to “harmonise” the powers of the authorities and speed up investigations. But there are concerns that the law would also enable the authorities