Former intelligence worker Edward Snowden, 29, revealed himself as the source of documents outlining a massive effort by the NSA to track cell phone calls and monitor the e-mail and Internet traffic of virtually all Americans. He says he just wanted the public to know what the government was doing. "Even if you're not doing anything wrong, you're being watched and recorded," he said. While he has not been charged, the FBI is conducting an investigation into the leaks.
Notable leakers and whistle-blowers
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: An EU commissioner wants to know whether the U.S. targeted European citizens
- A Gallup poll finds Americans are split over Edward Snowden's actions
- NSA chief rejects claims that the agency can tap any U.S. phone
- U.S. hacks computers in China, NSA leaker Snowden tells paper
Hong Kong (CNN) -- U.S. intelligence agents have been hacking computer networks around the world for years, apparently targeting fat data pipes that push immense amounts of data around the Internet, NSA leaker Edward Snowden told the South China Morning Post on Wednesday.
Among some 61,000 reported targets of the National Security Agency, Snowden said, are hundreds of computers in China -- which U.S. officials have increasingly criticized as the source of thousands of attacks on U.S. military and commercial networks. China has denied such attacks.
The Morning Post said it had seen documents provided by Snowden but was unable to verify their authenticity. The English-language news agency, which operates in Hong Kong, also said it was unable to independently verify allegations of U.S. hacking of networks in Hong Kong and mainland China since 2009.
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Obama open to NSA changes Snowden told the paper that some of the targets included the Chinese University of Hong Kong, public officials and students. The documents also "point to hacking activity by the NSA against mainland targets," the newspaper reported.
The claims came just days after U.S. President Barack Obama pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping to address cyberattacks emanating from China that Obama described as "direct theft of United States property."
Snowden's allegations appear to give weight to claims by some Chinese government officials that the country has been a victim of similar hacking efforts coming from the United States.
His claims came as Gen. Keith Alexander, the National Security Agency chief, testified at a U.S. Senate hearing that the country's cyberinfrastructure, including telephones and computer networks, is somewhat vulnerable to attack.
On a scale of one to 10, "our critical infrastructure's preparedness to withstand a destructive cyberattack is about a three, based on my experience," he said.
In the Morning Post interview -- published one week after the British newspaper The Guardian revealed the first leaks attributed to Snowden -- he claimed the agency he once worked for as a contractor typically targets high-bandwidth data lines that connect Internet nodes located around the world.
"We hack network backbones -- like huge Internet routers, basically -- that give us access to the communications of hundreds of thousands of computers without having to hack every single one," the newspaper quoted him as saying.
A "backbone" is part of the inner workings of a computer network that links different parts of that network. It is used to deliver data from one part of the network to another and, as such, could expose data from multiple computers if hacked.
'Trying to bully'
Snowden, 29, worked for the Booz Allen Hamilton computer consulting firm until Monday, when he was fired after documents he provided to journalists revealed the existence of secret programs to collect records of domestic telephone calls in the United States and the Internet activity of overseas residents.
While he has not been charged, the FBI is conducting an investigation into the leaks, and he has told The Guardian that he expects the United States will try to prosecute him.
NSA leaker back in shadows
Why did U.S. leaker hide in Hong Kong?
Where could NSA leaker go?
Prosecution for journalists in leak? Snowden told the Morning Post that he felt U.S. officials were pressuring his family and also accused them of "trying to bully" Hong Kong into extraditing him to prevent the release of more damaging information.
He vowed to resist extradition efforts if it comes to that, saying he "would rather stay and fight the United States government in the courts, because I have faith in Hong Kong's rule of law."
"My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate," the South China Morning Post quoted Snowden as saying. "I have been given no reason to doubt your system.''
But Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip, a former secretary of security for the territory, said Tuesday that while any extradition process could take months, Snowden isn't necessarily beyond the reach of the United States.
"If he thought there was a legal vacuum in Hong Kong which renders him safe from U.S. jurisdiction, that is unlikely to be the case," she said.
The newspaper said Snowden has been hiding in undisclosed locations inside the semi-autonomous Chinese territory since checking out of his hotel room Monday -- a day after he revealed his identity in an interview with The Guardian.
Snowden told the Morning Post he is not trying to evade U.S. authorities.
"People who think I made a mistake in picking Hong Kong as a location misunderstand my intentions," the newspaper quoted him as saying. "I am not here to hide from justice; I am here to reveal criminality."
The NSA and the National Intelligence director did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment.
Asked during a media briefing on Wednesday for comment on Snowden's latest claims, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki declined. She said she had not seen the latest Morning Post report.
On the defensive
The revelations have renewed debate over surveillance in the United States and overseas in the name of fighting terrorism, with supporters saying the programs revealed by Snowden are legal and have helped stop terror plots. Civil liberties advocates, however, call the measures dangerous and unacceptable intrusions.
Such criticisms have put Obama and his allies on the issue -- both Democrats and Republicans -- on the defensive against mounting criticisms from a similarly bipartisan group of critics demanding changes to rein in the programs.
There also is a sharp division among Americans over the issue.
A Gallup poll released Wednesday found that 44% of Americans believe Snowden did the right thing by releasing details about the classified surveillance programs, while 42% said it was wrong and 14% said they were unsure.
The poll for that question had a 6% margin of error.
It also found that more Americans disapprove than approve of the government's surveillance programs, 53% to 37%. Ten percent had no opinion.
The poll for that question had a 4% margin of error.
Those differences were on display Wednesday when Alexander, the director of the National Security Agency, testified at a hearing into cybersecurity technology and civil liberties.
Officials have been unable to explain controversial data mining programs because they have been classified, Alexander testified.
But Alexander rejected the Snowden's claim that the NSA could tap into any American's phone or computer.
"I know of no way to do that," Alexander said.
But he testified that phone records obtained by the government helped prevent "dozens" of terrorist events.
He would not discuss disrupted plots broadly, saying they were classified. But he did say federal data mining appeared to play a role in helping to disrupt a plot in recent years to attack the New York subway system.
Alexander said information developed overseas was passed along to the FBI, which he said was able to identify eventual suspect Najibullah Zazi in Colorado and ultimately uncover a plot. Zazi pleaded guilty to terror-related charges in 2010.
While not on the roster for Wednesday's hearing, another administration official in the spotlight is Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, whom Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden has singled out for how he answered questions about the telephone surveillance program in March.
In March, Wyden asked Clapper whether the NSA collects "any type of data at all on millions or hundreds of millions of Americans?"
"No sir," Clapper said.
On Saturday, Clapper told NBC News that he answered in the "most truthful or least most untruthful manner" possible.
Clapper told NBC that he had interpreted "collection" to mean actually examining the materials gathered by the NSA.
He previously told the National Journal he had meant that "the NSA does not voyeuristically pore through U.S. citizens' e-mails," but he did not mention e-mails at the hearing.
NSA leaker's girlfriend says she's 'lost at sea'
EU questions
Fallout over revelations about the NSA's intelligence-gathering has reached the European Union's governing body, where Vice President Viviane Reding raised concerns that the United States may have targeted some of its citizens.
Reding said she plans to raise the issue during a meeting Friday with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
"The respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law are the foundations of the EU-U.S. relationship. This common understanding has been, and must remain, the basis of cooperation between us in the area of Justice," Reding, the EU commissioner for justice, said Wednesday.
"Trust that the rule of law will be respected is also essential to the stability and growth of the digital economy, including transatlantic business. This is of paramount importance for individuals and companies alike."
CNN's Jethro Mullen reported and wrote from Hong Kong, and Chelsea J. Carter reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Paul Steinhauser, Tom Cohen, Michael Pearson, Doug Gross, Shirley Henry, Brian Walker and Pamela Boykoff contributed to this report.
Hansjurg • 3 days agoAMENDMENT IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
It doesn't say that it's okay to rubber-stamp permission to search everything by everybody for anything they might consider suspicious, in secret. There's absolutely no wiggle room.
You clowns who think he's a traitor need to brush up on the definition of the word. If you sell plans for a bomb to the enemy, then yes, that's treason. But if you blow the whistle on government misconduct then you're a hero.
Edward Snowden is a hero.
JXtheRich Hansjurg • 3 days agoIf Edward Snowden were a Chinese and worked the Chinese NSA, Mr. Obama probably would have already invited him to the White House for dinner and nominated him for the next Nobel Peace Price.
US government only championing freedom and human rights when convenient.
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ovipconsult JXtheRich • 3 days agoI'd have added, if Edward Snowden is a Russian woman and openly known to spy on the US, we would have made her a Hollywood star. That clearly shows how bias people are in this country!
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Russell's Teapot robotnik • 3 days agoThat is a blatant lie. A judge from my home county has just been appointed to FISA. How do I know this? Because my local newspaper had an article about it. I suggest you educate yourself before spouting off with unsubstantiated nonsense
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Clever Name ander35 • 3 days agoThey're not wire tapping. I think a lot of folk need to read davidsimonDOTcomSLASHwe-are-shocked-shocked to get a better understanding of what the government has been doing. You really think the government has the inclination or the man power to listen to all your phone calls? Get real.
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Kuari Clever Name • 3 days agoBasically what Snowden has said they were doing is collecting ALL e-mail from where they can. It doesn't matter if they read it. The fact that they have it at all is a danger. It'd be like if they copied all your letters in the post office with a photo-copier in the post office, "just in case". The IV amendment doesn't only apply to actively listening, it applies merely to even possessing something they don't have a right to.
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Maubi Kuari • 3 days agoCorrect yet they claim that is not correct if that is so what do they need a storage facility that big, this in and of itself is proof they are doing this and many other things. Already there are damaging pics of Mr. Snowden online proof they are trying to destroy his character, because he exposed them.
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Kuari Maubi • 3 days agoFrankly, saying he wasn't a friendly neighbor because he didn't say "hi" is proof enough of that. Though it does also spit in the face of the idea of him being an attention seeker like many like to claim, and instead paints the picture of someone who likes to keep to themselves and likes maintaining his privacy.
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Guest Kuari • 2 days agoIts very doubtful, but even if its true its because the Asians hacked first. Historically traced, the Asians always attack first. Starting from 1800BC & earlier - Asiatic Steppe Tribes, Persians, Huns, Mongols, Arab Jihad, Tatars, Ottomans, Japan, Osama & Boston.
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CALOSERS Maubi • 2 days agoI agree with you except for the comment about damaging photos. Damaging how? He likes good-looking girls who demonstrate questionable judgment. I wouldn't go out with a girl who put herself out there like she does, but overall it's a net plus as far as I'm concerned, as I'll take that any day over him taking it in the chute.
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Iter Veritas Kuari • 2 days agoSnowden did not say that. He revealed two programs, one that used metadata readily available, and one that targets specific targets under court orders, and cannot be used on us citizens. Please get your facts straight before you contribute to the de-education of this topic.
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Kuari Iter Veritas • 2 days agoActually he did, its the government claiming that it can't be used on US citizens, but then admit they only have to be 51% sure they aren't one to use it but state that the data is available to them, just they just aren't supposed to use it on US citizens. I'm very aware what's been said on the matter and who said what.
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Iter Veritas Kuari • 2 days agoYou are conflating two programs and pretending that they are the same. This fuels the misconception that there is any claim that US citizen's mail has been seized. This has not happened, at least not without full three branch oversight and a court order.
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Mary Clever Name • 3 days agoNot ALL of the phone calls, but when they target you (a vendetta will do for this) they break all kinds of laws with impunity. Their goal is to destroy you and your life through misinformation, maligning, isolation, and steady and persistent harassment without the possibility of relief.
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etime Clever Name • 2 days agoI think technology is catching up with the scenario you've described. The point isn't to scrub all data at once really but to organize and store it for later retrieval.
Keep in mind ince the Patriot Act was passed, the law was used more to catch "common" criminals then terrorists. Although that may sound like a good thing to some, that was not the intention of the act. It could get to the point where the gov't will find more excuses to break the law. Thats exactly the road Benjamin Franklin warned us against "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
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ronbad1 Clever Name • 2 days agoWhat they do have the power to do and are doing is record and save your phone calls, emails, video chats etc...all without warrant or your permission and then if "National Security" dictates review that info at their leisure. Google the 4th Amendment and you will see why this is not just wrong but illegal
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Iter Veritas ronbad1 • 2 days agoThat's a lie. They are not tracking your emails or anything like that. If you are the specific and outlined target and not a US citizen, they may have used PRISM to find out everything they can, much like the police use wiretaps and informants to get information on drug rings. To do that, PRISM needs a three branch review (does it conform to the rules, is the target relevant, and does it have judicial approval). Furthermore each use requires a warrant and court order.
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Guest Hansjurg • 2 days agoSo Snowden is now in China where they execute 8000 /year and sell their organs, run labor camps and speaking of privacy & human rights ? Joke of the century ! All who support him should go and live for few years in China/Asia. After that they wont mind even if the NSA/FBI come & live inside their houses !.
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Guest Karl Marx • 2 days agoNo need to listen to anyone because I've lived in Asia for over 10 years & also in Africa over 10 years. So I know quiet a lot. And its a well known fact anyway. Chinese cant even access Facebook and many other sites. Heard of the Great Firewall of China ? Everything is monitored in China.
Snowden has no credibility, if he had gone to Europe or even certain countries in S.America & Africa okay, but going to China and speaking of privacy & human rights makes him look like the clown of the century ! He must have been brainwashed by the Asians or lost his mental balance !
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lucifernv Guest • 2 days agoyou can in hong kong and hacking the great wall doesn't take an M.I.T graduate in computer science. the chinese who hack US systems are not everyday PC users they are hackers usually trained by the Chinese military. all country's conduct cyber espionage.
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Guest Karl Marx • 2 days agoNo need to listen to anyone because I've lived in Asia for over 10 years & also in Africa over 10 years. So I know quiet a lot. Snowden has no credibilty, if he had gone to Europe or certain countries in S.America or even Africa okay, but going to China and speaking of privacy & human rights makes him look like the jackass of the century ! He must have been brainwashed by the Asians or lost his mental balance !
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kestrel6 Clever Name • 2 days agoThey are wire tapping --- since they are collecting and storing the information. That is considered a seizure of records...The fact that they do not specifically look at the raw data means nothing since it is being used to classify and profile each individual according to activity. Remember the phone data is only a small part of what they collect. The data from phone, e-mail, social network, medical, financial,....is being collected, stored, classified and looked at via s/w programs and sophisticated processing algorithms.
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CALOSERS Clever Name • 2 days agoAlthough they have plenty of manpower, their most powerful tool is storage and computing ability, which is a non-issue, especially since you're paying for it. Perhaps you should educate yourself so that you can understand that recording every call and email is anything but impossible, and that whether or not programs allowing for real-time assessment are up to snuff at the moment (and they are), the fact that everything can be easily stored ensures that all pre-recorded date will all be able to be assessed at some future point in time,
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Herald Sweigart I Clever Name • a day agoTo (listen ) no. To record and use every single one with transcripts of every word you said. Definately , I have seen it myself. Identity theft leaves open the possibilty of being put in GITMO with little or no trial and they can keep you forever even if they determine you are innocent. That is LAW.VERY REAL LAW
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Iter Veritas kestrel6 • 2 days agoIt's over a specific time, so I assume it has something to do with an operation in that time span. As to what it is, do I sound like someone on the FISA court?
Keep in mind that companies can buy this data and use it to sell you cell phone plans.
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logical1125 Iter Veritas • 9 hours ago"I wait" what are you like five? C'mon man the original point exists. There's a program, the government operates it, and it's purpose is to listen to phone calls, and spy on Americans Who cares? I extended you an olive branch and you beat your chest like a monkey. Do you really believe that the court hadn't hobbnobbed with the politicians and there is absolutely zero collusion? You're dreaming. I am a vet, I know what this country is capable of asking for behind closed doors. If you want to believe in this fantasy version of events who am I to stop you? I love this country but I'm not blind to the fact that government over reach exists. This issue will be case and point in future literary works. Unless you have a valid counter to those truths, next poster please.
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Russell's Teapot ander35 • 2 days agoIf by 5 years you actually mean 35... I can only conclude that you either too young to know what you're talking about or your just making things up as you go along. Btw, why is that no one seems to care that private corporations have been keeping track of literally everything you do for awhile now? Think those pop up adds are random?
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Russell's Teapot Harry Hirsch • 2 days agoIf it is in the local paper then it is CLEARLY NOT a state secret. It is hardly my problem your paper is either too inept or lazy to bother with a cursory article about a rather prominent appointment
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Maubi Russell's Teapot • 3 days agoFirst of all where is your home country and how can a Judge not American born be on the fica court, second your home country if you feel that strongly about it go home. This is our home, this court is predominately made up of Judges that would do what ever obama wants. Like the ignorant Americans that voted for him in the first place, secondly many are regretting their votes now because they see the Socialist agenda coming to front and center chipping away at American freedoms and our Constitution. So please if you are not American and do not consider this your home country then please go home this is the problem with allowing aliens here in America destructive to our values.!!
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