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Full Interview: Edward Snowden On Trump, Privacy, And Threats To Democracy | The 11th Hour | MSNBC

MSNBC・43 minutes read

Edward Snowden is open to returning to the US if whistleblowers have the right to explain their actions in court and criticizes the Espionage Act. He emphasizes his desire to reform cybersecurity, maintains a critical view of Putin and the Russian government, and highlights the impact of his actions on surveillance laws and journalism.

Insights

  • Snowden advocates for the right of whistleblowers to explain their actions in court, highlighting the limitations imposed by the Espionage Act that prevent such justifications.
  • Governments, including the US and Russia, increasingly use hacking as a legitimate tool, exploiting vulnerabilities in software to remotely access devices, read emails, activate cameras, and more, showcasing the pervasive nature of surveillance and digital espionage.

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Recent questions

  • What is Edward Snowden's stance on whistleblowers' rights?

    Edward Snowden expresses his willingness to return to the United States if whistleblowers are given the right to explain their actions to a jury. He highlights the issue of the Espionage Act, which currently prevents whistleblowers from justifying their actions in court. Snowden believes that whistleblowers should have the opportunity to defend their actions and believes in the importance of transparency and accountability in such cases.

  • How does Edward Snowden view the Russian government?

    Edward Snowden maintains a critical view of Putin and the Russian government's human rights record. Despite seeking asylum in Russia, Snowden does not shy away from criticizing the government's actions and policies. He remains vocal about human rights violations and expresses his concerns about the Russian government's practices.

  • What is Edward Snowden's perspective on cybersecurity?

    Edward Snowden has offered to work for the government to improve cybersecurity, emphasizing his desire to reform rather than harm. He believes in the importance of enhancing cybersecurity measures to protect individuals and organizations from potential threats. Snowden's focus is on advocating for better cybersecurity practices and policies to safeguard against cyber attacks.

  • How does Edward Snowden view the impact of his actions?

    Edward Snowden reflects on the impact of his actions, noting the changes in surveillance laws and the importance of journalism in revealing government overreach. He acknowledges the significance of his disclosures in sparking discussions about privacy and surveillance practices. Snowden believes that his actions have led to positive changes in the realm of government transparency and accountability.

  • What measures does Edward Snowden take to secure his devices?

    Edward Snowden takes extreme measures to secure his devices, physically removing microphones and cameras to prevent unauthorized access. He is highly cautious about potential surveillance and hacking attempts, taking proactive steps to protect his privacy and data. Snowden's approach to device security reflects his commitment to safeguarding his personal information and communications.

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Summary

00:00

Snowden's Views on Whistleblowing and Reform

  • Snowden expresses willingness to return to the United States under the condition that whistleblowers have the right to explain their actions to a jury.
  • He highlights the issue of the Espionage Act, which prevents whistleblowers from justifying their actions in court.
  • Snowden recalls his offer to work for the government to improve cybersecurity, emphasizing his desire to reform rather than harm.
  • He maintains his critical view of Putin and the Russian government's human rights record.
  • Snowden discusses the history of electoral interference by various countries, including the US and Russia.
  • He explains the limitations of facing trial in the US under the Espionage Act, citing the lack of a fair trial for whistleblowers.
  • Snowden's parents, who had government backgrounds, continue to support his actions.
  • He clarifies that he and his partner had a courthouse marriage and plan to have a formal wedding in the future.
  • Snowden offers his perspective on Donald Trump, describing him as transactional and seeking approval.
  • He reflects on the impact of his actions, noting the changes in surveillance laws and the importance of journalism in revealing government overreach.

18:16

Government Hacking and Surveillance in Modern World

  • Over 80% of the world has changed in recent years, but problems persist and have worsened in some aspects.
  • Governments increasingly view hacking as a legitimate investigative tool, using similar methods as criminal hackers.
  • Governments can remotely take over devices by exploiting vulnerabilities in software like Apple's iOS or Microsoft Windows.
  • They can read emails, collect documents, access contact books, activate location services, and more once they control a device.
  • Companies like Google can provide governments with copies of emails, private messages, and other data without hacking devices.
  • Microphones and cameras on devices can be remotely activated, allowing for monitoring and recording by governments.
  • The Saudi government allegedly hacked phones of Jamal Khashoggi's friends to intercept conversations and plan his murder.
  • The Saudi government acquired hacking capabilities from the NSO Group, an Israeli company specializing in digital weapons.
  • Algorithms fueled by innocent data from devices are used to make decisions affecting individuals, like the social credit system in China.
  • Edward Snowden takes extreme measures to secure his devices, physically removing microphones and cameras to prevent unauthorized access.

36:40

Whistleblower seeks asylum, faces government pressure

  • The individual was denied boarding on a flight to Latin America and sought asylum in 27 countries, including US allies like France and Germany.
  • Despite applying for asylum, senior American officials like John Kerry and Joe Biden pressured countries not to grant it, warning of consequences.
  • The individual emphasizes that seeking asylum is not hostile but a friendly act, questioning why the US government is preventing their departure.
  • The individual highlights that no evidence has been presented to show harm from the disclosures made in 2013, which led to positive changes like Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism and court rulings.
  • The individual clarifies that they did not publish any documents but provided them to reputable journalists who followed strict guidelines before publishing.
  • The individual currently lives an ordinary life, focusing on professional speaking engagements and authorship, denying any ties to the Russian government.
  • The individual stresses the need to shift focus from regulating data use to regulating data collection, advocating for stronger privacy laws and ownership of personal data.
  • Independent commissions found that mass surveillance programs, like the NSA's bulk collection, did not make a concrete difference in counterterrorism efforts, highlighting the programs' true intentions of power and influence.
  • The individual believes the founding fathers would be shocked by the government's reach into citizens' lives today, emphasizing the importance of limiting government power for freedom.
  • Despite facing hostility and accusations, the individual predicts a return to the United States eventually, as the alleged harms from their actions have not materialized, while the benefits are becoming clearer over time.

54:01

Global Rights, Snowden, MSNBC: Subscribe for Updates

  • Discussion on the Constitution and people's rights globally
  • Mention of Snowden and a book
  • Appreciation expressed towards Brian and Chris Hayes from MSNBC
  • Encouragement to subscribe to MSNBC on YouTube for updates
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