Verizon Wireless retail store in Saugus, Massachusetts (Photo: Wikimedia Creative Commons \/ Anthony92931)Germany announced Thursday it is canceling its contract with Verizon Communications over concerns about the role of U.S. telecom corporations in National Security Agency spying. <\/p>\n
The links revealed between foreign intelligence agencies and firms after the N.S.A. affair show that the German government needs a high level of security for its essential networks, declared Germany's Interior Ministry in a statement released Thursday. <\/p>\n
The Ministry said it is engaging in a communications overhaul to strengthen privacy protections as part of the process of severing ties with Verizon. <\/p>\n
The announcement follows revelations, made possible by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, that Germany is a prime target of NSA spying. This includes surveillance of German Chancellor Angela Merkels mobile phone communications, as well as a vast network of centers that secretly collect information across the country. <\/p>\n
Yet, many have accused Germany of being complicit in NSA spying, in addition to being targeted by it. <\/p>\n
The German government has refused to grant Snowden political asylum, despite his contribution to the public record about U.S. spying on Germany. <\/p>\n
Verizon, which has provided services to many of Germany's governmental agencies since, will be replaced by Deutsche Telekom, which was formerly run by the German state. <\/p>\n
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