The German Chancellor has called for tougher protection rules following revelations the United States has used surveillance programmes to spy on other countries.
Angela Merkel's comments follow leaks suggesting the US eavesdropped on European Union officials as part of a widespread electronic spying operation.
The BBC reports she made her comments in a TV interview with state broadcaster ARD, in which she said Germany wanted internet companies to tell European governments who they are giving data to.
Her comments follow revelations about a US spying operation that collects users' data from internet companies.
Mrs Merkel also said she expected the US to abide by German law.
Tensions have been running high between the two countries following reports that the US has been eavesdropping on EU and German officials.
Chancellor Merkel sent her interior minister to Washington last week to meet Attorney General Eric Holder and Vice President Joe Biden to to find out how much spying there has been and on whom.
The opposition has accused her government of failing to get answers from its allies in the US.
