Merkel: first I heard of 'Prism' was in media
Merkel: first I heard of 'Prism' was in media
Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected comparisons between US government spying and the secret police of the former East Germany. In an interview she defends the German secret service, as well as the practice of intercepting data.
In relation to whistleblower Edward Snowden's claim that Germany was in "in bed" with the United States, Merkel told Die Zeit newspaper that "it has for decades been the responsibility of secret services in our country to co-operate (with others) in adherence with particular and narrowly defined laws and that this provides for our security."
The chancellor said it remained to be seen to what extent reports about US spy programmes such as Prism, were true, and that she herself had only been made aware of it through media reports.
When it comes to the expansion of technological possibilities, "the balance between the largest possible scope for freedom and what the state needs to protect its citizens to the greatest degree possible must constantly be re-established," Merkel said in the interview, which will be published in full on Thursday.
She stressed that the discussion about what is proportionate should take place continuously. However, she did go on to say that "without the possibility to intercept telecommunications" the best possible guard against terror attacks could not be achieved.
http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20130710-50793.html
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