Two U.S. newspapers are reporting the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency is collecting records of international money transfers, using the same law the National Security Agency used to collect telephone and Internet records.
The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that former and current U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the existence of the program.
The reports say the financial transactions program is covered under the Patriot Act enacted after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
The wire transfer company Western Union was mentioned in the Times report. Western Union did not confirm its participation in the program, saying only that it complies with federal laws, which require banks to report suspicious transactions.