AUSTIN National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden blasted the U.S. government Monday for "setting fire to the future of the Internet" with its massive data-collection program that has triggered a worldwide debate over online snooping.
"The result has been an adversarial Internet," Snowden, speaking by video link from Russia where he was granted asylum from pending U.S. espionage charges last year, told attendees at the South by Southwest Interactive conference. "It's nothing we asked for. ... It's not something we wanted."
"The people in this room are all firefighters," Snowden said. "We all need your help to fix this."
Snowden challenged the tech community to bolster encryption software that will make Internet communications more secure, criticizing companies such as Google, Yahoo and others for not doing enough to protect customers' privacy because their business models were based on unsecured networking. "The good news is that there are solutions," he said.
Christopher Soghoian, the principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union and a panelist at the forum, said U.S. firms that transmit "need to lock things down ... We need to make services secure out of the box. It's going to require a rethink from developers."
Speaking in front of a backdrop displaying the U.S. Constitution, Snowden challenged U.S. lawmakers who claim his leaks of secret documents have damaged U.S. security. Instead, he insisted that his actions have improved it, along with championing the online privacy of U.S. citizens who he said should be able to open e-mails or take cell phone calls without fear of being monitored.
Snowden contended U.S. interests have suffered "tremendous intelligence failures because we've been monitoring everybody's communications rather than suspects," including tips concerning accused Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev and accused underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab that were never followed-up by authorities.
"What did we get from bulk collections?" Snowden said. "We got nothing."
Snowden specifically criticized U.S. intelligence chief James Clapper for "cheering" on the NSA's data-collection program, rather than holding it accountable. "The overseers aren't interested in oversight," he said.
The session moderated by Ben Wizner, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy & Technology Project and Snowden's legal advisor had been criticized in recent days by U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kansas, who claimed Snowden's "only apparent qualification is his willingness to steal from his own government and then flee to that beacon of First Amendment freedoms, the Russia of Vladimir Putin."
Read more here:
Snowden: NSA data-collection 'setting fire' to Internet future
- 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]