Appearances and Reality: Merkel Balks at EU Privacy Push
Chancellor Merkel has put on a good show of being outraged by American spying. But, at the same time, she has impeded efforts to strengthen data security. Does she really want more privacy, or is she more interested in being accepted into the exclusive group of info-sharing countries known as the 'Five Eyes' club? Merkel [...] stated: "Unlike David [Cameron], we are unfortunately not part of this group." According to the New York Times, Germany has sought membership in the "Five Eyes" alliance for years, but has been turned down due to opposition, including from the Obama administration. But this could now change, the paper speculates.
Der Spiegel: The Chancellor and the NSA: Merkel Has Abandoned the Germans [July 16, 2013]