Belgacom downplays UK hacking allegations at EU hearing

Belgian telecommunications firm Belgacom, which supplies services to EU institutions and whose subsidiary, Bics, handles data transfers between Europe and the Middle East, sent two top men to answer questions at an EU parliament hearing on the 3 October 2013.

The state-owned company has played down revelations it was hacked by British intelligence, reported by German daily Der Spiegel in September 2013 on the basis of files exposed by US whistleblower Edward Snowden.

ESO: Background information: UK spy scheme said to be larger than Prism http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-spy-scheme-said-to-be-larger-than-prism/

European Parliament: Press Release, 03.10.13: Belgacom hacking case: MEPs regret UK intelligence service absence at EP hearing http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131001IPR21213/html/Belgacom-hacking-case-MEPs-regret-UK-intelligence-service-absence-at-EP-hearing

EurActiv, 15.12.14: Belgian press reveals British hacking of Belgacom http://www.euractiv.com/sections/infosociety/belgian-press-reveals-british-hacking-belgacom-310802

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