Story perspectives

German Intel Spied on Obama’s Calls, Ignites Trust Issues

1/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

The German intelligence agency BND monitored Barack Obama’s Air Force One calls due to weak encryption.
The BND accessed conversations between Obama and global leaders, with eavesdropping ending in 2014 after concerns about Hillary Clinton.
Angela Merkel, then Chancellor of Germany, was unaware of the BND’s actions despite criticizing U.S. spying.
The affair underscored mistrust between Germany and the United States during Obama’s presidency, alongside NSA surveillance of Merkel.

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Story summary

The German intelligence agency BND monitored Barack Obama’s Air Force One calls due to weak encryption.
The BND accessed conversations between Obama and global leaders, with eavesdropping ending in 2014 after concerns about Hillary Clinton.
Angela Merkel, then Chancellor of Germany, was unaware of the BND’s actions despite criticizing U.S. spying.
The affair underscored mistrust between Germany and the United States during Obama’s presidency, alongside NSA surveillance of Merkel.