NSA spying on foreign countries through embassies

Originally published on October 30, 2013

It was revealed recently that the National Security Agency secretly monitored German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone and has also used the American Embassy in Berlin as a surveillance station, according to German media Spiegel.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the U.S. is tapping telephones and monitoring communications networks from surveillance facilities in U.S. embassies and consulates across east and south-east Asia, including Jakarta, Kuala LUmpur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Yangon, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei.

According to an article published by The Washington Post, some 29 countries have been specifically cited as subject to NSA surveillance, which includes: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and Venezuela.

Reuters reported that China will step up its security following the allegations that the NSA collected data in Europe and on leaders of major U.S. allies.

"Like many other countries, we have been paying close attention to these reports," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.

"China is concerned about the continued revelations of eavesdropping and surveillance and is paying attention to how the situation develops," she added.

"We will take the necessary steps to resolutely maintain the security of our own information," Hua said, without elaborating.

"The head of the NSA defended his beleaguered organization on Tuesday, saying it acts within the law to stop militant attacks and calling reports that the NSA collected data on millions of telephone calls in Europe false."

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