THE NSA OPERATED GLOBAL SPY SYSTEM ECHELON IS SEEN IN BAD AIBLING, 2001-06-03 (photo)

The US National Security Agency (NSA) operated global electronic surveillance system, codenamed ECHELON, is seen in Bad Aibling near Munich, June 3, 2001. The ECHELON system, which is controlled by the NSA and is operated in conjunction with the General Communications Head Quarters (GCHQ) of England, the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) of Canada, the Australian Defense Security Directorate (DSD), and the General Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) of New Zealand, is used to intercept ordinary e-mail, fax, telex, and telephone communications carried over the world's telecommunications networks. The European Parliament is investigating the Echelon spying system with regard to corporate espionage. The NSA announced the closing of the system in September 2002. MAD