Russia's Vladimir Putin says the National Security Agency surveillance programme is necessary to fight terrorism, but must be regulated by strict rules.
Mr Putin said at a press conference that the US agency’s surveillance “isn’t cause for joy, but not a cause for repentance either”.
He said such mass surveillance is necessary to fight terrorism and expose terrorists’ contacts, but it should be regulated by clear rules.
Mr Putin added that such a huge amount of data limits the damage to privacy as security agencies are not able to process it all.
Details of the programme were leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who has taken asylum in Russia.
Mr Putin said Moscow is not controlling the American, and any revelations published by Mr Snowden must have come from materials he provided before landing in Russia.
He reaffirmed that Moscow made Mr Snowden’s asylum conditional on him halting “anti-American activities”.
Mr Putin said he has not met Mr Snowden and insists that Russian security agencies have not worked with him and have not asked him any questions related to NSA activities against Russia.