"Germany was an occupied country and considering the activities of the intelligence services of the allied countries on German soil it still is," Gert R. Polli said.
Information leaked by the former NSA contractor sparked universal outrage but nowhere has it been so widespread as in Germany, considering that the US allegedly even spied on the phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Germany, German politicians and the German economy are among the primary targets of American intelligence services," Polli told Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten, adding that authorities are technically unable to protect the government, businesses and society from snooping.
Polli named the US National Security Agency and the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) as the primary intelligence services operating in Germany. Both are currently investigated for mass surveillance, according to the expert.
Intelligence agencies of other countries are also operating in Germany. However, only a few have technical expertise making it possible for them to work in the country, Polli pointed out.