Becoming an ‘international fugitive’ was worth it, claims NSA whistleblower
Becoming an “international fugitive” was worth it because of the benefits it brought to the public, according to US whistleblower Edward Snowden.
The former National Security Agency (NSA) worker said progress had been made since he released thousands of documents about global surveillance records two years ago.
“The difference is that you get a different quality of government when they are accountable to the public,” he said on video live-link from Moscow to an event in London organised by human rights group Amnesty International.
Within hours the American Senate passed a USA Freedom Act that would end the bulk collection of millions of Americans’ phone records.
However, he accused the British government of trying to reform surveillance laws in a negative way.
“Rather than preserving civil liberties, they are trying to limit it,” he said.
Although he can “no longer see my family” or live in the US, Snowden said “the things I’ve received personally and we’ve all benefited from publicly, make it all worth it.”