Obama: 'Lives have been saved' by surveillance programmes

BERLIN (AP) - Trying to tamp down concerns about government over-reach, President Barack Obama on Wednesday defended US Internet and phone surveillance programmes as narrowly targeted efforts that have saved lives and thwarted at least 50 terror threats.


"Lives have been saved," Obama said, adding that the programme has been closely supervised by the courts to ensure that any encroachment of privacy is strictly limited.


"There has to be proportionality," she said. She added that their discussion on the matter on Wednesday was "an important first step" over striking a balance.


