An investigation by the European parliament’s civil liberties committee revealed that the snooping activities carried out by the US National Security Agency (NSA) and its British counterpart GCHQ appear to be ‘unlawful’.
In addition, the investigation found that their activities have ‘profoundly shaken’ the faith between countries that believed themselves supporters.
The report cited by the Guardian appeals to the US authorities and EU states ban blanket mass surveillance programmes and large amount of personal information and to protect people against mass snooping.
In addition, the inquiry further enquires the ‘legality, necessity and proportionality’ of the programmes.
The report also stressed the US to change its laws governing the actions of intelligence services and bring them to the standards ofinternational regulation.
The UK, Germany, France, Sweden and the Netherlands have been advised to ensure they comply with the European human rights standard.
The EU parliamentary committee’s MEPs also voted to have Snowden a witness from Russia through a video-link in spite of warnings from senior US congressmen that offering him a public platform would harm their reputation and hamper cooperation with the US.
