Sep 26 2000: A new survey has alleged that the United States is at the forefront of a global drive to enhance snooping capabilities in the digital age.

The report, 'Privacy and Human Rights 2000,' states that Washington made a bid to prevent the development and sale of hardware and software featuring strong encryption. It also claims that FBI director Louis Freeh encouraged countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic to broaden their wiretapping capabilities.

Another country accused of privacy invasion was Russia, with the survey claiming that US officials had advised Moscow on the implementation of surveillance networks.

According to the report, Japan had been pushed to adopt its first laws on wiretapping by the US, while the US also promoted surveillance through the G-7 group of the biggest industrialized nations.

The US authorities previously described such legislation as necessary, if they are to keep up with technologically literate criminals.