In The News

NSA Spying: A Threat to US Interests?

Bruce Stokes December 5, 2013
Reports that the US National Security Agency has collected internet and telephone data in Europe could influence negotiations for a proposed Transatlantic Trade and Partnership and require new understanding on rules for the digital economy. Bruce Stokes, director of global economic attitudes at the Pew Research Center, reports on recent surveys: A majority of Americans suggest that it’s...

Merkel Says Spy Scandal Is Testing EU-US Trade Talks

Stefan Wagstyl November 27, 2013
Relations with the US and a proposed transatlantic free trade agreement are “being put to the test” amid reports of US National Security Agency surveillance, suggests German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “Berlin is pressing the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, to incorporate data safeguards into the negotiations for the planned Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, launched this...

LG Investigates Smart TV “Unauthorised Spying” Claim

Leo Kelion November 27, 2013
Cable and satellite companies that provide television service monitor customer viewing habits. Some smart TVs may also send information about viewer habits and connected devices to manufacturers, suggests an IT consultant. Such feedback allows custom services, but also breaks UK law if consumers do not grant permission, suggests Leo Kelion for BBC News. South Korean firm LG is investigating the...

Snowden and Obama Slow Down Globalization

Irwin M. Stelzer November 13, 2013
Policies and individuals can influence globalization’s pace. Writing for the Weekly Standard, Irwin Stelzer blames former US National Security Agency contract worker Edward Snowden – his release of National Security Agency documents revealing methods and targets – and President Barack Obama for slowing globalization by hampering free trade, capital flows and foreign investment. “Neither [man]...

US on Spying Scandal: “Allies Aren't Always Friends”

Marc Pitzke October 29, 2013
It was a rare moment when a national leader could empathize with ordinary citizens: German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted with fury to reports in Der Spiegel that her personal phone was a target of the US National Security Agency. Earlier, during the election campaign as reports dribbled out about mass monitoring by the NSA, she expressed less concern. US President Barack Obama denied claims...

Anger Growing Among Allies Over US Surveillance

Alison Smale October 24, 2013
Allies who have long provided steadfast support to the US now question if the National Security Agency targeted communications of leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, as suggested by documents released by a former contract worker. The questions follow reports by Le Monde that the NSA collected millions of French...

China Employs 2 Million Microblog Monitors, State Media Say

Dong Le October 16, 2013
Blogs and social media sites are ideal for posting complaints, but China does not want discontent to spread. One group is assigned to monitor the trends in griping – the Chinese government employs more than 2 million as “internet opinion analysts,” to monitor internet posts and even delete problem posts, according to a report in Beijing News, as described by BBC News. The monitors struggle to...