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Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

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Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#111

I really only want read the story told by Snowden's bank accounts and use of cash. Pretty sure this isn't that.

I really only want to read the story told by your bank accounts and use of cash. How else can I believe your criticism isn't funded by the intelligence agencies?

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#112
post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> I don't have time to confirm / deny this, but it may be worth looking into. Then why take the time to post it?

Because it is a interesting avenue to investigate if someone wants to know more.

Well you’re wrong so there’s that. You can’t give up your citizenship as a result of running for a foreign office.

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#113
post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is that the case for both govt and private corporate surveillance? How widespread is the use of Alexa in your area?

The key difference is that you can decide not to buy corporate products you do not want, but have to comply with the laws. I am a lot less concerned about stupid things done by a majority for convenience (and I can choose whether to do participate or not) than about the law that forces the same stupidity down my throat. My 2c.

The problem is that you can't always opt out of someone else's decisions.

Example: Doorbell Cams taking video of you walking by, uploading it to a corporate database, identifying you using photo recognition algorithms and your location using the home's address, and using that information to sell you things.

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#114
post #73

I can't speak for the US but this man has shifted so much of the political debate in my country and I think also in the EU in general. If you talked about the massive surveillance from governments people tossed you aside as a paranoid lunatic. After Snowden no one could ignore you anymore and privacy is an aspect in any public debate.

That's great to hear. Unfortunately, his actions haven't really done anything in the US. I wish I could say otherwise, but I haven't seen a single thing change. Privacy still isn't an issue that's on most people's radar. The government still does what it did before and likely a lot more. I have a ton of respect for Snowden, but he severely overestimated how much Americans care about privacy, spying, surveillance, or…

encryption by default and privacy as an intrinsic good have been pervasive if subtle shifts in the culture

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#115

I really only want read the story told by Snowden's bank accounts and use of cash. Pretty sure this isn't that.

Not sure why you're being downvoted. Even if I don't believe that Snowden is a Russian agent, I think that is a fair question. The point you make about the sources and uses of cash telling the truth about someone is a great one not only within the context of Snowden.

Has US intelligence actually claimed Snowden is a Russian agent? People keep saying he is a traitor, but not whether he was always a spy or had been recruited directly by the Kremlin. All that is being fueled by media speculation.

There is also the likely possibility he didn't expect to be awarded a medal for uncovering the US governments own surveillance program on its citizens.

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#116

We were called "paranoid lunatics" even when we started speaking about ECHELON in the '90ies. Same with the clipper chip. Same with TPM/DRM/ME. Same with Internet centralization. It's worth asking why the general public keeps trusting authorities and distrusts techies, even those among us with a career in security.

Good question. There are probably similar psychological mechanisms at play when you try to explain to smokers why their habits are bad.

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#117

I'm going to 'recycle' an older comment of mine, pertaining to the comments about the book. The original comment can be found here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20583363 I was annoyed that someone called Ed Snowden a 'Traitor'. Hopefully it gets a bit more recognition in this thread __________________________________ For me he made the Great Game of Privacy a lot fairer. You should read the excellent entry on…

Honestly, saying that the NSA has done maybe one useful thing in its entire existence and that everything it does could be replaced by "simple detective work" just shows you to be incredibly uninformed and ignorant about what the job of the NSA actually is.

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#119

I can't speak for the US but this man has shifted so much of the political debate in my country and I think also in the EU in general. If you talked about the massive surveillance from governments people tossed you aside as a paranoid lunatic. After Snowden no one could ignore you anymore and privacy is an aspect in any public debate.

> If you talked about the massive surveillance from governments people tossed you aside as a paranoid lunatic.

I wonder how much that was any given person, or just that the availability of such surveillance has increased dramatically.

Re: Edward Snowden: Permanent Record

#120
post #73

I can't speak for the US but this man has shifted so much of the political debate in my country and I think also in the EU in general. If you talked about the massive surveillance from governments people tossed you aside as a paranoid lunatic. After Snowden no one could ignore you anymore and privacy is an aspect in any public debate.

That's great to hear. Unfortunately, his actions haven't really done anything in the US. I wish I could say otherwise, but I haven't seen a single thing change. Privacy still isn't an issue that's on most people's radar. The government still does what it did before and likely a lot more. I have a ton of respect for Snowden, but he severely overestimated how much Americans care about privacy, spying, surveillance, or…

Section 215 of the Patriot Act was not reauthorized, for one.
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