Germany’s intelligence agency has revealed plans to expand its counterintelligence operations to include friendly nations, in the wake of the NSA snooping disclosures by whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The disclosure that the US agency allegedly tapped German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone sent shockwaves around Europe, with America never admitting to spying on its own allies.
A senior German security official was cited by Reuters as saying that the intelligence agency needs an overall view in future, which will include friendly nations, while also citing requirements including technical training.
"We certainly won’t be able to do that for free," he said.
In addition, the intelligence agency is also planning to work more closely with universities and research institutes in this regard.
The NSA disclosures have disturbed the relationship between Germany and the US for months, while Germany’s foreign intelligence agency BND was reportedly aware of US snooping programmes for years, and had used the information collected through the programme.
Germany is also considering establishing its own internet to avoid spying by other nations.
