Obama and Hollande Discuss NSA Snooping in France

White House says the U.S. has begun review of intelligence gathering

WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama Monday called French President Francois Hollande following disclosures the National Security Agency tapped phone calls in France.

The French newspaper Le Monde, citing material leaked by NSA contractor Edward Snowden, said the NSA collected about 3 million intercepts from Dec. 10, 2012, to Jan. 8.

"The president made clear that the United States has begun to review the way that we gather intelligence, so that we properly balance the legitimate security concerns of our citizens and allies with the privacy concerns that all people share," the White House said, noting France and the United States have been allies for years and share a close working relationship on a variety of issues, including security and intelligence.