Most Americans expect their government to spy on its allies. But there is a generational gap about about whether it happens and whether it should

As part of the fallout from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leak of confidential information, reports have circulated that the United States bugged the embassies and offices of both the European Union and several European allies, including Germany and France. German Justice minister, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, condemned the spying, saying "If the media reports are accurate, then this recalls the methods used by enemies during the Cold War."

While the reports of spying have resulted in harsh rebukes for America, new research from YouGov reveals that most Americans are unsurprised by the allegations. When asked whether they think the US government spies on allies like France and Germany, over three-fourths (76%) say they do. Only 4% say they do not spy on their allies. Similarly, a nearly identical number (74%) of Americans think our European allies spy on us.

As to whether we should be spying on our European allies, Americans are more split. A plurality (44%) favor spying on our European allies, while 28% oppose doing so.

Throughout all of the questions, one major dividing line appears: age. Just as critics have made comparisons to the Cold War in describing the US's spying efforts, so it seems that those with more memory of the Cold War are more likely to both expect and favor spying.

Among those 65 years old and above, 85% believe that the US spies on European allies, while 60% of those 18 to 29 years old do.

Age has a strong effect, too, on whether Americans believe that the US should be spying on its allies in Europe. 60% of those above 65 believe the US should be spying on them, while only 27% of those under 30 give the same response.

The expectation by Americans that the U.S. spies on its European allies is matched by parallel YouGov research done in Germany and the UK. 72% in Britain and 77% in Germany find it “likely” that the NSA has accessed phone call information in their countries.

Find the full results here.

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