Washington, Nov 25 : Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has criticized the government's data collection programmes, saying that the government the US 'really blew it' out.

Zuckerberg said that the US 'really blew it' on surveillance programmes that have recently drawn criticism as lacking respect for citizens' privacy.

"I think that these things are always a balance, in terms of doing the right things and also being clear and telling people about what you're doing,"

During an interview on ABC's "This Week", Zukerberg said that the government really blew it on this one, adding that they're continuing to blow it in some ways.

He said that the US should become more transparent in that part of the survelliance progarmme.

According to CNET, the National Security Agency's tactics in snooping in on phone, e-mail, and other Internet communications have come under scrutiny since former NSA contractor Edward Snowden began releasing classified documents revealing the agency's activities.

After several Internet companies were reported to have given the US government direct access to its servers, Zuckerberg issued a categorical denial in June.

He said that Facebook 'has never received a blanket request or court order from any government agency asking for information or metadata in bulk, like the one Verizon reportedly received. And if the company did, it would fight it aggressively,' the report added. (ANI)