Security25.07.2013

US rejects bid to curb NSA data-gathering program

An undated aerial handout photo shows the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters building in Fort Meade, Maryland

A U.S. spy program that sweeps up vast amounts of electronic communications survived a legislative challenge in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, the first move to curb the surveillance effort since a worker leaked details of its scope.

The House of Representatives voted 217-205 to defeat an amendment to the defense appropriations bill that would have limited the National Security Agency’s ability to collect electronic information, including phone call records.

The measure, which has been opposed by the White House and intelligence chiefs, was the first attempt to curb NSA spying since former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked details about the extent of the agency’s data collecting.

(Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Eric Walsh)

More security news

Global cyber-crime costs up to USD500-billion: study

Apple software developers website hacked

EU calls for answers on US spying

Show comments

Latest news

More news

Trending news

Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter