The United States President, Barack Obama, has met the heads of six leading internet companies to discuss plans to reform US government surveillance.
Some activities of the National Security Agency -- revealed by the exiled intelligence contractor, Edward Snowden -- have created tension between the government and companies such as Google and Facebook, the BBC reports.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said last week he had called the president personally to express frustration with the vast online intelligence dragnets.
The White House says the president has reiterated his administration's emphasis on protecting people's rights, while preserving important tools that keep them safe.
None of the executives spoke to waiting reporters when they left the White House after about two hours inside.
