Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who previously exposed the National Security Agency's (NSA) spying on U.S. citizens via phones and the web, dropped another bombshell today.Now, Snowden claims that the U.S. government has been hacking into computers in Hong Kong and China since 2009.
Snowden gave an interview to the South China Morning Post in a secret location that was not disclosed.
According to Snowden, there are more than 61,000 NSA hacking operations 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,” explained Snowden.
“Last week the American government happily operated in the shadows with no respect for the consent of the governed, but no longer. Every level of society is demanding accountability and oversight.”
Snowden also slammed “the hypocrisy of the U.S. government when it claims that it does not target civilian infrastructure, unlike its adversaries. Not only does it do so, but it is so afraid of this being known that it is willing to use any means, such as diplomatic intimidation, to prevent this information from becoming public.”
Snowden said that he has not spoken to his family or friends since exposing the NSA last week.
“All I can do is rely on my training and hope that world governments will refuse to be bullied by the United States into persecuting people seeking political refuge,” added the 29 year old.
When asked about Russia possibly offering asylum, Snowden replied: “My only comment is that I am glad there are governments that refuse to be intimidated by great power."
Snowden was also asked about the thousands of supporters who have signed a petition calling for his pardon in the U.S. and a financial fund created by supporters.
“I’m very grateful for the support of the public,” Snowden said. “But I ask that they act in their interest, save their money for letters to the government that breaks the law and claims it noble.
“The reality is that I have acted at great personal risk to help the public of the world, regardless of whether that public is American, European, or Asian.”
Source: South China Morning Post Reported by Opposing Views 1 hour ago.