Israeli PM amongst NSA, GCHQ's 1,000 'snoop-op' targets

Image
ANI London
Last Updated : Dec 21 2013 | 10:35 AM IST

The US and UK spy agencies reportedly spied on targets that include a European Union commissioner, humanitarian organizations and an Israeli PM who held office in 2009.

The recent allegations appear as a result of the trove of classified information revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden who exposed the alleged mass surveillance programmes carried out by the US' National Security Agency and its UK counterpart, GCHQ.

According to the BBC, the details published by newspapers and magazine in the US, UK and Germany, there is a list of around 1,000 targets, including prominent global leaders and 60 countries.

In an already heated global debate about the breach of people's privacy, the recent revelations are likely to spark more international concern about the alleged programmes because recently, it was revealed that German chancellor Angela Merkel's phone calls were being snooped-on, triggering a diplomatic row with the US.

The latest allegations have also pointed that the UK spy agency, GCHQ monitored the communications of foreign leaders, including African heads of state and sometimes their family members, and directors of United Nations and other relief programmes.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has hinted to possible changes to the NSA's bulk collection of Americans' phone records.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 21 2013 | 10:29 AM IST

Next Story