The US Senate has passed a bill that would end the bulk collection of millions of Americans’ phone records.

It's the most significant surveillance reform for decades and a direct result of NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden’s revelations two years ago.

Senators have voted to pass the USA Freedom Act, which overwhelmingly cleared the House of Representatives last month and will now head to the White House for Barack Obama’s signature.

It paves the way for telecommunication companies to assume responsibility of the controversial phone records collection programme.

The Senate also rejected a series of amendments that were designed to weaken the surveillance and transparency reforms contained in the Act.