Chancellor
Angela Merkel has voiced enthusiasm for a secure European network in light of
concern about US mass data surveillance. The idea would be to circumvent the
need for data to be transferred across the Atlantic.
Merkel said on Saturday that she planned to discuss the idea of a regional network with French President Francois Hollande when the pair meet on Wednesday.
Merkel said on Saturday that she planned to discuss the idea of a regional network with French President Francois Hollande when the pair meet on Wednesday.
In her
weekly video podcast, Merkel said she did not approve of companies like
Facebook and Google basing their operations in countries where data protection
was compromised.
"Many
countries have lower levels of data protection than Germany, and we do not want
our privacy laws to be watered down," she said.
"We'll
talk with France about how we can maintain a high level of data protection.
Above all, we'll talk about European providers that offer security for our
citizens, so that one shouldn't have to send emails and other information
across the Atlantic."
In
response, Hollande's office confirmed that Paris and Berlin had already been
discussing the matter, with France also keen on the idea. "It is important
that we take up the initiative together," a French official said.
Concern
about the activities of the US National Security Agency (NSA) came to the fore
last year with the release of information from former NSA contractor Edward
Snowden. According to leaked documents, the agency had indulged in "mass
surveillance" of electronic communications of European Union citizens.
Merkel's own communications were found to have been compromised with the
revelation that the chancellor's mobile phone had been monitored.
Berlin has
said it is keen to reach a "no spy" agreement with Washington,
although this has so far been in vain.
In her
podcast, Merkel also said she planned to discuss climate protection with
Hollande, ahead of a global climate change conference in France next year.
Security policies, particularly with respect to Africa, were also set for
discussion.
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