The Guardian reveals the U.S. listened to 35 leaders

The Guardian reveals this evening (Thursday) that the National Security Agency (NSA) listened to no less than 35 world leaders, using the American political system. According to the newspaper, the agency distributed to the White House employees a memorandum entitled "Consumers can help the agency achieve the telephone numbers to listen."

The affair began when yesterday senior officials in Germany accused that the U.S. eavesdropped on telephone conversations of Chancellor Angela Merkel. Today Merkel herself spoke and explained that "there should not be spying between friends." German Foreign Ministry demanded explanations, and embarrassed the U.S. State Department.

This episode joins what was exposed earlier this year that U.S. intelligence agencies listening to tens of thousands of citizen's calls and passing on messages and text messages - which agencies have access via cellular companies. This case arose following the U.S. debate about the profound importance of individual freedom when it comes to national security.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!