Officials from the Icelandic government wonder if the US National Security Agency (NSA) has engaged in the spying of Icelanders.
As anyone who’s been watching the news lately is probably aware, numerous European leaders have expressed shock and outrage at information recently brought to light that the NSA has been spying on millions of European citizens and world leaders. This has prompted Icelandic authorities to ask some questions of their own.
RÚV reports that Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson has formally asked the US ambassador to Iceland whether or not the NSA has been spying on Iceland.
Gunnar cited a recent article published by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. This article, based on information leaked by former national security contractor Edward Snowden, included a list of nations who have fallen under NSA surveillance, Iceland among them.
Gunnar said Iceland has protested this surveillance, and is asking for more exact information on the matter.
Former Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson added that he has no knowledge of Iceland and the US ever making any kind of formal agreement to allow electronic surveillance. If the NSA was (or is) watching Iceland, it was then done without the knowledge of Icelandic authorities.
A formal response from the US embassy on the matter is still pending.
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