Germany’s interior ministry is pushing for new laws to allow federal and regional authorities to access “the data captured by these devices”.

However, Merkel’s coalition partners are uneasy about the privacy implications of the move.

Alexa data has already been used in two US murder trials, and it is hoped a change in the law in Germany would help foil terror plots and prosecute murderers.

The German government will discuss the matter next week, The Times reports.