Merkel Calls Obama: Did You Tap My Phone?

German chancellor says it would be 'a serious breach of trust'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 23, 2013 3:31 PM CDT
Merkel Calls Obama: Did You Tap My Phone?
The March 5 file photo shows German Chancellor Angela Merkel presenting a tap-proof mobile phone of Blackberry at a booth of Secusmart during the world's largest computer expo CeBIT in Hannover.   (AP Photo/dpa, Julian Stratenschulte)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel complained to President Obama today after learning that US intelligence may have targeted her mobile phone, saying that would be "a serious breach of trust" if confirmed. For its part, the White House denied that the US is listening in on Merkel's phone calls now. "The president assured the chancellor that the United States is not monitoring and will not monitor the communications of the chancellor," said spokesman Jay Carney. However, he did not specifically say that the US had never monitored or obtained Merkel's communications.

The German government said it responded after receiving "information that the chancellor's cellphone may be monitored" by US intelligence. It wouldn't elaborate, but German news magazine Der Spiegel, which has published material from NSA leaker Edward Snowden, said its research triggered the response. A Merkel spokesman said in a statement that the chancellor made clear to Obama in a phone call that "she views such practices, if the indications are confirmed ... as completely unacceptable." (More Angela Merkel stories.)

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