Be wary of Harper’s anti-terror bill, Edward Snowden warns Toronto students

Speaking from an undisclosed location in Russia, American whistleblower Edward Snowden warned Toronto high school students to be wary of the federal governments proposed anti-terror bill.

The problem with mass surveillance is when you collect everything, you understand nothing, he said via a Google Hangout connection on Monday evening.

The Harper bill to increase the power of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service fundamentally changes the balance of power between the citizen and the state.

Speaking alongside journalist Glenn Greenwald, Snowden delivered the keynote speech at the Upper Canada College to open the private schools World Affairs Conference, an annual, student-run conference.

Their talk touched on many of the aspects that have become synonymous with Snowden s leaks from the American National Security Agency surveillance, national security and democracy including insight into last weeks revelation that CSEC collected massive amounts of data on file uploads in Canada.

Is it really possible for governments to do their jobs, in finding terrorist plots, Greenwald said. Or are they just collecting so much information on so many people including people who have done nothing wrong that they become incapable of finding what they say theyre looking for?

Snowden also touched on some aspects of his life since he became internationally wanted, and warrants were issued for his arrest by his government.

I actually work more now than I ever did before. I work seven days a week, practically, Snowden said. Its now about 4:30 in the morning, I guess, and I havent been to sleep yet. But its tremendously satisfying. Im able to have so much impact.

Snowden said he works with NGOs and civil-liberties groups around the world and consults with international computer science and security experts. He also often gives talks like this one, including a debate at Harvard.

He also took time to praise the questions directed to him by students. Faced with a question on the rise of China in a global context, he remarked, First of all, wow. High school students? These are better questions than I get from members of Parliament.

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Be wary of Harper’s anti-terror bill, Edward Snowden warns Toronto students