Most Americans say the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) must put an end to its controversial surveillance program which collects their personal data through monitoring their phone calls, emails and internet use.
Fifty six percent of those who participated in a new McClatchy-Marist poll said that the White House has gone too far in its spying program which was revealed by fugitive American whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The July 15-18 survey also found that seventy percent of 1,204 adults surveyed believe the government needs to introduce regulations that would limit what can be investigated.
Only one out of four of the respondents deemed the NSA’s surveillance program as reasonable.
The survey also showed that there is widespread opposition to the Obama administrationâ„¢s Å“Insider Threat” program. The program which received scant attention in mainstream media requires government employees to keep a close eye on their Å“high risk” colleagues in an effort to prevent new leaks.
Refusing to report such potential whistleblowers or leakers could result in serious penalties, including criminal charges. Those who leak government information to the media would also be charged with spying.
The sweeping program is considered as another measure in line with U.S. government efforts to crackdown on people who try to expose its wrongdoings.
Å“Privacy still counts, and federal employees snooping on each other, thatâ„¢s out of bounds,” said the director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, Lee Miringoff,
The survey is conducted as the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday rejected an amendment that was aimed at defunding the spying program.
DT/DT
Republished from: Press TV