United Nations concerned by 'highly intrusive' digital spying (Reuters)
(Reuters) - The United Nations General Assembly expressed concern on Thursday at digital spying and said unlawful or arbitrary mass surveillance and the interception and collection of online data are "highly intrusive acts" that violate privacy rights.
The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution, drafted by Germany and Brazil, by consensus as a follow-up to a similar text approved last year after former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden exposed a spying program by the NSA, sparking international outrage.
Resolutions passed by the General Assembly are non-binding but can carry political weight.
A reference to metadata surveillance as an intrusive act was removed from the resolution during negotiations to appease the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, known as the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, diplomats said.
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/18/us-spying-un-idUSKBN0JW25D20141218?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
