The embassy spy centre network (updated)

Over 80 US Embassies around the world conceal joint NSA-CIA “Special Collection Service” (SCS) radio and electronic surveillance equipment. The images here show some of the more prominent sites in Europe, South America and the Middle East. All feature rooftop sheds or structures concealing mobile phone, wifi and radio surveillance antennae and equipment to "collect" communications from city centres and government districts. [Image: Berlin]

See Special Collection Service slides page for documents showing how the operation works.

Germany

BERLIN - The US Embassy in Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate and directly overlooks both the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) and Angela Merkel’s Chancellery. As reported by Der Spiegel, the surveillance site on the embassy roof (outline in red) has been used to target German government and business communications.

BERLIN - The surveillance installation has two radio windows (marked by yellow arrow), with direct electronic “line of sight” to government and parliamentary buildings - and the offices of "Der Spiegel".

Spain

MADRID – The US is the subject of severe criticism by Spanish authorities over reports of the secret mass surveillance of citizens. The Snowden documents reveal that anywhere up to 3.5 million call records have been intercepted in a single day. The US ambassador in Madrid was summoned by the secretary of state to respond to allegations.

MADRID - A close up of the embassy’s roof shows windowless shed structure. The building is located in north west of Madrid, a little over a mile from the Spanish House of Congress and two miles from the Senate of Spain and Royal palace.

Cuba

HAVANA – Despite having no official embassy in Cuba since 1961, Havana is shown as a covert collection site on the 2010 "SCS Global Presence" list provided by Edward Snowden, and is described as a "staffed location". In lieu of an embassy, the US has what is called a “United States Interests Section in Havana" - which is located inside the Swiss embassy.

Austria

VIENNA – The US embassy in Vienna shows a prominent rooftop shed in the centre of the building. The embassy is located direct south of the Austrian parliament

VIENNA – A close up of the rooftop shed. The embassy is located north of the Austrian parliament, City Hall and Chancellery buildings.

VIENNA – In September, the Austrian press reported that this grand villa in the north-west part of the city was home to an NSA surveillance operation. The covert collection equipment appears to be built in to an extension added to the south west corner of the building (right, above). The flat and windowless and featureless area is similar to other US embassy premises.

Switzerland

GENEVA - The US embassy in Geneva over looks the United Nations headquarters and legations has at least one full floor (windowless) for shielded processing equipment. Edward Snowden was employed by the CIA in Geneva for several years and is understood to have helped operate this covert site.

GENEVA - Close up of US Consulate rooftop shows high tower with radio transparent panels to hide eavesdropping equipment The panels are similar to those used in the British spy tower intercepting Irish communications.

Croatia

ZAGREB – The US embassy in Zagreb is situated south of the city, on Thomas Jefferson Street. A shed structure is visible on on the roof, as well as an entirely windowless top storey for equipment and operators.

Nigeria

LAGOS – The US embassy in Legos, Nigeria is shown as a covert collection site on the 2010 "SCS Global Presence" list provided by Edward Snowden. It is described as an “unmanned remote” location.

Venezuela

CARACAS - The US embassy in the Venezuelan capital is shows two sheds visible on the right-hand side as well as a large windowless middle roof construction.

CARACAS - The aerial view of the embassy shows numerous rooftop structures, the embassy faces toward the centre of Caracas and three and a half miles for the National Assemby.

Mexico

Mexico City - The US Embassy in Mexico City is named as a covert surveillance site on the 2010 "SCS Global Presence" map provided by Edward Snowden, and is described as a "staffed location". The image below shows a close up of the "maintenance shed" located at the south end of the roof.

Mexico City - A view of the US embassy in Mexico from the ground showing the rooftop shed.

Bulgaria

SOFIA - The US Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria located south from the centre of the city, houses an entirely windowless top floor with familiar looking panels.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO - The US Embassy in Sarajevo is named as a covert surveillance site on the 2010 "SCS Global Presence" map provided by Edward Snowden, and is described as a "staffed location".

Sweden

STOCKHOLM - The US Embassy in east Stockholm is less than one kilometer from the Kaknästornet telecommunications and broadcasting building, at the heart of Sweden’s national communications system. The surveillance shed on the roof has direct views to the tower (below). Stockholm is not listed as a covert collection site on the 2010 "SCS Global Presence" list provided by Edward Snowden. It is not known whether the list is complete, or what changes have been made to the network since 2010. The embassy roof includes a "maintenance shed" similar to many acknowledged US covert embassy sites, as described in SCS documents as being used to hide covert collection equipment.

Poland

WARSAW - A "maintenance shed" is visible above the US Embassy in Poland. Warsaw is not listed as a covert collection site on the 2010 "SCS Global Presence" list provided by Edward Snowden. It is not known whether the list is complete, or what changes have been made to the network since 2010. The embassy roof includes a "maintenance shed" similar to many acknowledged US covert embassy sites, as described in SCS documents as being used to hide covert collection equipment. The embassy is conveniently located, around 300 metres from Poland's parliamentary buildings.

Surveillance