Individuals and businesses should encrypt their e-mails to protect their communications, MEPs heard on Wednesday.

Following a year-long investigation into the US-led Echelon global system for intercepting communications, MEPs debated the issue in the European parliament on Wednesday.

A committee investigation into the eavesdropping system had previously found no evidence of a systematic use of Echelon for commercial espionage but it called on the British and German governments to limit the authorisation of interception operations on their territory by US intelligence services.

MEPs advised that eavesdropping on e-mails and other electronic messages should only be allowed on the condition that there is proper supervision and respect for human rights.