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Back to To the Point

To the Point

How Much Spying Is Too Much?

President Obama has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he didn't know her cell phone was tapped by America's National Security Agency and that he's put a stop to it. All government leaders know that nations spy on their friends as well as their enemies, but they also know the key is not to get caught.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

President Obama has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel he didn't know her cell phone was tapped by America's National Security Agency and that he's put a stop to it. All government leaders know that nations spy on their friends as well as their enemies, but they also know the key is not to get caught. Now, due to revelations by former contractor Edward Snowden, America's National Security Agency is being called "out of control." The NSA says that everyone does it, but that may not catch on. Some indignant members of Congress are demanding reform. Has eavesdropping technology outrun the law? Have revelations about the past damaged diplomatic relations with the powerhouse of the European Union? Is the biggest problem the spying or the leaks that revealed it?

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    KCRW

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    Christian Bordal

    Managing Producer, Greater LA

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    Lata Pandya

    Assistant Producer, To the Point/Which Way, LA?

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    Josef Joffe

    Die Zeit / Hoover Institution / Freeman Spogli Institute

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    Joe Wippl

    Boston University

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    Henry Farrell

    George Washington University

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