In NSA spying probe, Germany discovers it can spy on its …

German lawmakers probing the surveillance activities of the U.S. National Security Agency have uncovered a legal loophole that allows the country's foreign intelligence agency to spy on its own citizens.

The agency, known by its German acronym BND, is normally forbidden from eavesdropping on Germans or German companies.

But a formerBNDlawyer told Parliament this week that Germans aren't protected while working abroad for foreign companies.

The government confirmed Saturday to The Associated Press that work-related calls or emails are attributed to the employer. If the employer is foreign, theBNDcan intercept them.

Opposition lawmakers have accused Germany's government of feigning outrage over allegedNSAspying while condoning illegal surveillance itself.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel complained to U.S. President Barack Obama in October after receiving information her phone may have been monitored. (Michael Kappeler/Associated Press)

Chancellor AngelaMerkelcomplained to U.S. President Barack Obama in October after receiving information her phone may have been monitored.

News magazineDerSpiegel, whose research prompted the government's response, reported that a document apparently from anNSAdatabase indicatesMerkel'scellphone was first listed as a target in 2002.

The Obama administration's rebuttal to outrage has been that the U.S. is gathering foreign intelligence of the type gathered by all nations and that it's necessary to protect the U.S. and its allies against security threats.

Germany and France have demanded that the Obama administration agree by year's end to new rules that could mean an end to reported American eavesdropping on foreign leaders, companies and innocent citizens.

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In NSA spying probe, Germany discovers it can spy on its ...