As leaks pertaining to secretive National Security Agency programs continue to surface, the international community at large is voicing concerns against the United States government. Now telecommunication providers could come under fire as well.
According to recent reports, an attempt by US-based telecom giant AT&T to acquire Europe’s Vodafone company might be easier said than done as the unauthorized leaking of top-secret NSA documents continue to paint not just the US intelligence agency in poor light, but also the private industry participants linked to the government’s surveillance programs.
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T’s plan to expand on the other side of the Atlantic was being questioned after officials from Germany and other European nations voiced concern over the relationship between the US telecom and the NSA.
Should AT&T follow through with rumors to acquire Vodafone, the purchase would put the American company directly involved in one of the largest corporate acquisitions ever, the Journal reported. On the other hand, though, journalists with the magazine said, “Europe's anger over the NSA's collection of electronic communications has reduced the likelihood a European deal could happen anytime soon.”
AT&T, along with Verizon and others, have been directly linked by NSA contractor-turned-leaker Edward Snowden as working in-cahoots with government eavesdropping operations. Upon recent reports made possible through Snowden’s disclosures in which it was detailed that the NSA snooped on the likes of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and even the Pope, European lawmakers may look towards limiting any possible deal between AT&T and an overseas entity such as Vodafone.
Read more: NSA scandal may stop AT&T's ambitions to expand in Europe — RT USA
According to recent reports, an attempt by US-based telecom giant AT&T to acquire Europe’s Vodafone company might be easier said than done as the unauthorized leaking of top-secret NSA documents continue to paint not just the US intelligence agency in poor light, but also the private industry participants linked to the government’s surveillance programs.
Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T’s plan to expand on the other side of the Atlantic was being questioned after officials from Germany and other European nations voiced concern over the relationship between the US telecom and the NSA.
Should AT&T follow through with rumors to acquire Vodafone, the purchase would put the American company directly involved in one of the largest corporate acquisitions ever, the Journal reported. On the other hand, though, journalists with the magazine said, “Europe's anger over the NSA's collection of electronic communications has reduced the likelihood a European deal could happen anytime soon.”
AT&T, along with Verizon and others, have been directly linked by NSA contractor-turned-leaker Edward Snowden as working in-cahoots with government eavesdropping operations. Upon recent reports made possible through Snowden’s disclosures in which it was detailed that the NSA snooped on the likes of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and even the Pope, European lawmakers may look towards limiting any possible deal between AT&T and an overseas entity such as Vodafone.
Read more: NSA scandal may stop AT&T's ambitions to expand in Europe — RT USA
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