reacting to a report by news weekly Der Spiegel says the documents prepared by Snowden indicates that German services work closely with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and use its internet spy software XKeyscore.
German domestic intelligence service said it had only tested BFV Internet tool, which Der Spiegel said can save several days worth of 'Internet traffic data and content and keywords from search engines online Google Maps.
U.S. documents reportedly also praised the "desire" of the foreign intelligence service BND president Gerhard Schindler to work more closely with the NSA and say the German government has modified the interpretation of privacy laws to allow for more flexibility in data sharing.
With elections set for 22 September claims made by Snowden, some of them were first reported by Der Spiegel, has put pressure on Merkel, who said he only learned of the PRISM program through media reports.
Merkel spokesman Georg Streiter announced a "comprehensive study" into the claims, with the result that will be served between Wednesday and Friday for secret service parliamentary oversight committees, the meeting closed to the
media and the public.
Streiter defend the fact that the secret service operates from the public eye, adding that "international terrorism can only be fought through international cooperation, and this serves to protect our citizens in Germany."
But it also says that "German law goes on in Germany, and it applies to everyone, including intelligence service. Which is why the government took very serious questions that emerged from the weekend media coverage."
"The head of the embassy staff have begun the study area. Results. Would be reported immediately to the Control Committee of Parliament," he added.
PRISM Snowden claims about the NSA program to capture and store the data communication email, phone and others have angered many in Germany, where the idea of surveillance eyeing the dark memories triggered by the Nazi Gestapo and communist East German Stasi.
In repeated media inquiries, Streiter defend German intelligence relationship with the United States ". Quite amazing that I feel the impact is being made that we work with crime I mean, they are our friends."
"We have been working closely with our friends for decades. And if now there is a different view, a different interpretation of the law and the law is different for private data in the U.S. and Germany, then it does not mean that they suddenly it's evil, "he said.
