ECHELON could be banned and international spying could be made a violation of human rights

Spying on electronic communications by international agencies should be seen as a breach of human rights according to a five page proposal being considered by the European Parliament.

According to reports, the proposal suggests that treaties and rules drawn up nearly half a century ago, have failed to keep up with technological advances. It recommends that interception of digital communications must "have a legal basis, be in the public interest and be strictly limited to the achievement of the intended objective." If the proposal is implemented, spying by international agencies on diplomatic, commercial or personal communications would be outlawed.

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