The UN General Assembly's human rights committee has unanimously approved a resolution protecting the right to privacy against unlawful surveillance in the digital age.

The resolution was sponsored by Brazil and Germany, whose leaders have allegedly been targeted by US intelligence agencies.

The new resolution seeks to extend personal privacy rights to all people after reports of massive global eavesdropping by the US National Security Agency.

It expresses deep concern at "the negative impact" that such surveillance, "in particular when carried out on a mass scale, may have on the exercise and enjoyment of human rights."

The consensus on the resolution shows that it will easily pass the whole General Assembly in December.

General Assembly resolutions aren't legally binding but reflect world opinion and carry political weight.