German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to improve data protection by building a European communications network.
In the wake of the NSA leaks, which also implicated the US in spying allegations concerning Merkel’s phone, she stated that the new network would avoid emails and other data passing through US’ hands.
She added that she would raise the issue with French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday.
Speaking during her weekly podcast, Merkel criticised the fact that companies such as Facebook and Google can be based in countries with low levels of data protection while carrying out business in nations that offer more robust safeguards.
“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,” she said. “Rather, one could build up a communication network inside Europe.”
Speaking to Reuters, a French official was quoted as saying that the government in Paris planned to take up the German initiative.
The proposals follow similar concern from the European Commission, which last week stated that the EU should be more involved in the management and operation of the internet.
Source: BBC
