Human rights group Privacy International has filed a complaint against UK telecom firms over the alleged interception of private data on their networks.
The complaints were filed with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) after media reports claimed that BT, Vodafone, Viatel, Verizon and Level 3 granted the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) access to their fiber optic network via a spying program called Tempora.
The move comes in the wake of allegations from ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden that fibre-optic networks were accessed as part of mass surveillance programmes.
Privacy International said: "As a result, Privacy International believes that there are grounds to investigate whether up to a dozen OECD guidelines, pertaining to companies’ responsibilities to respect human rights, including the right to privacy and freedom of expression, were violated," it said.
The group also demanded that the telecoms firms answer questions regarding their information sharing with GCHQ and law enforcement authorities.
Privacy International head of research Eric King said: "It is unconscionable to think that the companies that carry our most personal information either refuse to stand up for us, or remain silent when our rights are violated.
"Far from being coerced, it appears some of the companies have gone well beyond their legal responsibility by colluding with GCHQ on its Tempora program.
"We call on these companies to do the right thing and halt their involvement with mass surveillance and hope the OECD will investigate what steps, if any, the companies took to defend the human rights of their customers."
