Cellphone operator reveals scale of gov't snooping

By DANICA KIRKA

LONDON (AP) -- One of the world's largest cellphone companies on Friday revealed the scope of government snooping into phone networks, saying authorities in some countries are able to directly access its network without seeking permission.

Vodafone outlined the details in a report that covers 29 countries in which it directly operates and gives the most comprehensive look to date at how governments monitor mobile phone communications. It amounts to a call for a debate on the issue as businesses increasingly worry about being seen as worthy of trust.

The most explosive revelation was that in six countries, authorities require direct access to an operator's network - bypassing legal niceties like warrants. It did not name the countries for legal reasons and to safeguard employees working there.

"In those countries, Vodafone will not receive any form of demand for lawful interception access as the relevant agencies and authorities already have permanent access to customer communications via their own direct link," the report said.

Vodafone's report comes one year after former NSA administrator Edward Snowden revealed that U.S. and other countries' intelligence agencies routinely gathered huge amounts of private data belonging to millions of innocent people in America and across the globe.

The revelations have focused particular attention on the role of Western technology and.....REST OF IT