Edward Snowden and reporter Glenn Greenwald, who have been and since the last year trying to leak the American whistleblower’s leaks about mass U.S. government surveillance, appeared together via video link on Saturday warning of wider US spy operations.
He cautioned that government monitoring of “metadata” is more dangerous and even worst then what they think. And added that the spying is not bounded to listening to phone calls or even reading emails and stressed the importance of a free press willing to scrutinize government activity.
Metadata includes what phone numbers were used and how long did the call to another phone number lasted but doesn’t include the content of the calls.
Amnesty International is protesting to stop mass surveillance by the U.S. government and have called for a campaign to stress on the government for a Congressional action to stop the gathering of phone calls data other communications.
Last year, Snowden, who had been working at a NSA facility as an employee of Booz have been able to leak top secret documents that revealed the big and the American role in monitoring phone and Internet data.
U.S. President Barack Obama said last month he plans to ask Congress to end the bulk collection and storage of phone records by the NSA but allow the government to access metadata when needed.
“Metadata is what allows an actual enumerated understanding, a precise record of all the private activities in all of our lives. It shows our associations, our political affiliations and our actual activities,” said Snowden.
“My hope and my belief is that as we do more of that reporting and as people see the scope of the abuse as opposed to just the scope of the surveillance they will start to care more,” he said.
“Mark my words. Put stars by it and in two months or so come back and tell me if I didn’t make good on my word.”
Finally lets not forget that Snowden faces arrest if he steps foot on U.S. soil.
