Edward Snowden wants to go back to the US but faces espionage charges if he returns
A National Security Agency (NSA) surveillance program has been ruled unlawful, seven years after it was exposed by whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The surveillance of millions of Americans' telephone records first came to light in 2013.
And Mr Snowden has said he feels vindicated by the ruling.
I never imagined that I would live to see our courts condemn the NSAs activities as unlawful and in the same ruling credit me for exposing them, Mr Snowden said.
"And yet that day has arrived," he added.
Accept and continue
Top US intelligence officials had publicly insisted the NSA had never knowingly collected data from private phone records, until Mr Snowden exposed evidence to the contrary in 2013.
Following the revelation, officials said the NSA's surveillance program had played a crucial role in fighting domestic terrorism, including the convictions of Basaaly Saeed Moalin, Ahmed Nasir Taalil Mohamud, Mohamed Mohamud, and Issa Doreh, of San Diego, for providing aid to al-Shabab militants in Somalia.
But, on Wednesday, the Court of Appeals said the claims were "inconsistent with the contents of the classified records" and the program had violated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The ruling will not affect the 2013 convictions.
Todays ruling is a victory for our privacy rights, the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement.
"It makes plain that the NSAs bulk collection of Americans phone records violated the Constitution.
Excerpt from:
NSA surveillance exposed by Snowden ruled unlawful - BBC
- New York Times pushes clemency for Edward Snowden. Justified? (+video) [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Napolitano Says No Clemency for Edward Snowden [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Hero Edward Snowden? [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- What to do about Snowden: The NY Times gets it right [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Snowden 'an aberration': Booz Allen CEO [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Will Obama Help Edward Snowden? - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- 2 Newspapers Call For Clemency For Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Editorials Argue Why Edward Snowden Should Get Clemency - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- EDWARD Snowden - IS HE A HERO OR A TRAITOR??? - Video [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Snowden seeks extra Russian protection after U.S. threats [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden denies that he's a Russian spy [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Snowden Denies Working as Foreign Spy, New Yorker Reports [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Glenn Greenwald I Defend Edward Snowden Like MSNBC Defends Obama "24 Hours A Day" - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Former CIA insider on Sochi Olympics security, Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Airdate : January 4, 2014 : Clemency for Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- #10 Edward Snowden a Hoax?? Rockefeller: Human Cloning in Film Documentary Series Jan 20 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Double Standards - Edward Snowden: Traitor or hero - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden NSA Spying HOAX BUSTED fraud Jan 19 2014 Rockefeller net Ron Rand Paul Breaking News - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Philip and Edward Snowden. - Video [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Did Snowden Act Alone? - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Denies Russian Spy Theory - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- Coastal Today Show, January 20 - 26, 2014 | Full Episode - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- BREAKING! Edward Snowden LIVE in New York Snowed-in Snowden Blizzard Snow Storm - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- New York Times editorial defends Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- The People's Republic of Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2014]
- Snowden says mass collection must end [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Russian lawmaker says Snowden asylum period to be extended [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Snowden Says Whistle-Blower Law Gaps Preclude His Return [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Denies 'Stealing' NSA Co-Workers' Passwords [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden's Asylum in Russia Extended [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: 'Not Possible' to Return to U.S. Now [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- What Do We Know About Edward Snowden? Webster G. Tarpley - Video [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- On Edward Snowden, Privacy, NSA, and Accountability - Quick Thought #632 - Video [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden is a SPY? How do you kill a spy? - Video [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Scooter and Snowden [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: Did the American whistleblower act alone? [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Snowden Says Whistle-Blower Law Gaps Preclude Return [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Hükümete protesto, Snowden'e destek - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden NSA leaker asks for extra security after receiving death threats from US officials !! - Video [Last Updated On: January 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 26th, 2014]
- Snowden says officials want to kill him [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- edward_snowden_portrait_twitter_reuters.JPG [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: There Are 'Significant Threats' To My Life [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Snowden Says ‘No Doubt’ NSA Engages in Industrial Spying [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story ... [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Alex Jones Show Friday 1 24 14 Piers Corbin - Video [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- The People's Republic of Edward Snowden part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2014]
- Snowden interview turns up few key revelations [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- edward-snowden-reuters-120313.JPG [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden - Video [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- German Television To Air NEW Edward Snowden Interview TONIGHT - Video [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden is nominated for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Snowden Nominated by Norwegian Lawmakers for Nobel Peace Prize [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Snowden nominated for Nobel Prize [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Snowden Gets Nobel Peace Prize Nomination From Norwegian MP - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- BREAKING: Edward Snowden Nomination For Nobel Peace Prize! - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden's Psychic Human ETs - Video [Last Updated On: January 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2014]
- Report puts Snowden-like leaks as No. 2 threat to US security [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Why Silicon Valley sticks up for Snowden [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Snowden nominated for Peace Prize [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- UK spy chief to step down: GCHQ boss Iain Lobban leaves in wake of Edward Snowden NSA leaks - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Is Edward Snowden Behind Target Hacking? - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Snowden: NSA Mining App Data to Track Targets - Video [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2014]
- Snowden nominated for Nobel Peace Prize [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- [CCTV FOOTAGE]Edward Snowden Gunshot January 31, 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Obama administration nominates new NSA director - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden nominated for Nobel Peace Prize: NSA whistleblower has exposed US spying - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden's Norwegian Nobel nomination called into question - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden the Peace Prize Winner? - Video [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2014]
- Edward Snowden, a Party to Subverting Nations in Latin America [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- Edward Snowden: World's most wanted man [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- Politicians attack Great Barrier Reef, Edward Snowden and TV Reporter - TFU Friday - Video [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2014]
- WikiLeaks, Greenwald Blast Guardian Journalist’s Book On ‘FSB Prisoner’ Snowden [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- Killing Edward Snowden on Occupy The Microphone - Video [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden January 25, 2014 Interview Links - Video [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- Edward Snowden Documents reveal Canadian Spies Exist! - Video [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2014]
- 20140203 - Barking at the moon - Video [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Snowden aftermath: Defense contractors revamp policies, practices [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]
- Booz Allen Exec Describes How Snowden Stole Millions of Documents [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2014]