Snowden leaks: NSA chief denies illegal server access

The US National Security Agency (NSA) director has denied illegally accessing the servers of Google and Yahoo.

A Washington Post report, based on leaks from Edward Snowden, claimed that the NSA hacked links connecting data centres operated by the two companies.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Gen Keith Alexander said it would be "illegal" for the agency to break into databases but that companies were "compelled" by court orders to assist them.