Facebook accused of spying on Belgian citizens like the NSA

Data regulator's opening volley in privacy lawsuit claims Facebook is contucting NSA-like snooping on citizens declaring that Belgium shouldn't be intimidated

Facebook acted like the US's National Security Agency, spying without authority on European users, lawyers representing the Belgian data protection authority said on Monday.

In opening arguments in a closely watched case being brought against the social network company, Frederic Debussere, representing the Belgian privacy commission (BPC), referred to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's revelations about surreptitious mass surveillance by the spy agency.