Germany has stopped sharing internet surveillance info with the NSA

[syedali73]

Germany has stopped sharing internet surveillance info with the NSA

By Colin Lecher
on May 7, 2015 03:26 pm

Last month, it was revealed that Germany's electronic surveillance agency, the BND, spent years spying for the NSA, snagging communications on European politicians and defense contractors. The revelation has caused a scandal in Germany, and Reuters reports that the BND has now stopped sharing the sensitive information.

According to Reuters, the decision was made after "a row" within the German government, and the BND is demanding detailed explanations before handing over information, which the US agency has reportedly declined to provide. (Those rules were already in place for phone and fax information, and that information will continue to be passed along.)

The NSA, as first reported in German media, obtained information on thousands of "selectors," search terms like mobile phone numbers and IP addresses the NSA provided before the BND turned over additional information it had stored.

Since the revelations produced by documents from Edward Snowden — including the fact that the NSA spied on Angela Merkel's personal phone — Germany's relationship with the US government has become tense and distrustful. Groups have called on Chancellor Angela Merkel to publicly release the selector lists, while the country's top prosecutor is investigating whether the BND broke any laws.

Germany has stopped sharing internet surveillance info with the NSA | The Verge

 

[Dubious]

About time

 

[Galad]

Since German secret services have long long history of "cooperation" with USA starting from end of WW2 it is highly unlikely BND will stop working with NSA.Limiting sharing info-might be possible,stop entirely-not at all.Even if the OP is right-does it really matter?There are more than enough USA controlled facilities inside Germany spying on everyone so situation will be the same.

 

[Al Bhatti]

Why to share when NSA can get it itself.

 

[syedali73]

Since German secret services have long long history of "cooperation" with USA starting from end of WW2 it is highly unlikely BND will stop working with NSA.Limiting sharing info-might be possible,stop entirely-not at all.Even if the OP is right-does it really matter?There are more than enough USA controlled facilities inside Germany spying on everyone so situation will be the same.

What matters is, US allies are slowly but surely losing confidence in US and it may have implications in long term. There are already news about an independent European force that would have nothing to do with US -led NATO.

 

[Vassnti]

When the Germans were screaming about the NSA we were told of course "we" dont do that sort of thing then the BND were caught out now they say but we wont do it again. I told the guy next door my cat wasnt crapping in his garden but it seems the cat doesnt know this.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

What matters is, US allies are slowly but surely losing confidence in US and it may have implications in long term. There are already news about an independent European force that would have nothing to do with US -led NATO.

Awesome! We need the Europeans to take more control of their own backyard militarily so we don't have to. We have been wondering for the past 10 years when the Germans will start putting more R&D money towards their Air Force and Navy to offset Russia. Same with Japan.

 

[gambit]

Awesome! We need the Europeans to take more control of their own backyard militarily so we don't have to. We have been wondering for the past 10 years when the Germans will start putting more R&D money towards their Air Force and Navy to offset Russia. Same with Japan.

These ya-hoos seems to think that American dominance in European defense affairs came only from American need to control when in reality, the US was needed because the Europeans cannot get their shits together. Europe was a mess after WW II and the need for US leadership was understandable. But during the Cold War, European governments and societies were deeply infiltrated by Soviet agents and communist sympathizers that US leadership was needed to keep the mob in line.

If the Europeans thinks they can handle Putin on their own dime, I say let them, and move the UN over to Europe in the process. Once -- not if -- Russia conquered a few more European countries and they start bawling for American help, we can send Sarah Palin as ambassador.