In the US, that domestic surveillance was shut down and later ruled illegal. In France, it was formally allowed by law. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/world

In the US, that domestic surveillance was shut down and later ruled illegal. In France, it was formally allowed by law. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/world/europe/french-legislators-approve-sweeping-intelligence-bill.html https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/world/europe/french-legis... As far as international policy, the French were colonialists in French Indochina, while the US was just red-baited in, so the intentions of the US (though indicative of blundering stupidity) were not as bad.