Edward Snowden

American Whistle-blower

Edward Snowden, an American contract employee at the National Security Agency, is the whistleblower behind significant revelations that surfaced in June 2013 about the US government's top secret, extensive domestic surveillance programmes. Snowden flew to Hong Kong from Hawaii in May 2013, and supplied confidential US government documents to media outlets including the Guardian.

OVERVIEW
LATEST NEWS
Tech Trends
Nostr developers have adopted the ostrich as a kind of mascot for the decetralised social media protocol that has gained the backing of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Photo: Shutterstock
Tech Trends
A decentralised ‘super app’ backed by Jack Dorsey sees rising interest in China
The Nostr social media protocol has elicited such enthusiasm in users that there are dedicated podcasts, newsletters and conferences, including in Hong Kong.
Politics
US spy agency ‘hacked Huawei HQ’: China confirms Snowden leak
Chinese Ministry of State Security report acknowledges cyberattacks detailed in internal papers revealed by former contractor.
119
Policy
EU countries, lawmakers reach data rule deal targeting Big Tech
The EU on Tuesday agreed on rules that govern how Big Tech and other companies use European consumer and corporate data, with safeguards against non-EU governments gaining illegal access.
Law and Crime
Snowden lawyer slams Hong Kong Bar Association over 7-year internal trial
Canadian lawyer Robert Tibbo, who represented US whistle-blower Edward Snowden, says he resigned from Hong Kong Bar Association because he believed he would never get a fair hearing
2
Politics
Do whistle-blowers like Edward Snowden still have a place in Hong Kong?
Former security chief Regina Ip brushes aside lawyer’s claim that law deters whistle-blowing.
34
United States & Canada
Explainer|What is the Espionage Act and what might it mean for Trump?
In all, Donald Trump faces 37 criminal counts, 31 of which relate to secret or top secret classified documents. He is also charged with obstructing justice, conspiracy, concealment and false statements.
SCMP Explains
Snowden exposed widespread US spying, 10 years later, what’s changed?
Editorial|US intelligence fiasco a wake-up call for all
Hypocrisy of outrage over China’s alleged spy balloon exposed by leaks that show Washington has been snooping on friends.
SCMP Editorial
1
Big Tech
US-China IT joint venture H3C to end as Tsinghua Unigroup to take full control
The proposed deal, subject to regulatory approval, comes one year after a semiconductor entity affiliated with H3C was added to the US Entity List.
6
United States & Canada
US whistle-blower Snowden defends Russian citizenship
He has repeatedly made it clear he applied for asylum in Russia out of necessity because he is threatened with extradition to the US by other countries.
4
United States & Canada
US whistle-blower Snowden gets Russian passport, takes citizenship oath
The ex-intelligence contractor, who fled the US in 2013 after leaking information on classified surveillance programmes, had ended up in Moscow via Hong Kong.
United States & Canada
Putin grants Russian citizenship to US whistle-blower Edward Snowden
The ex-intelligence contractor had fled to Russia after he leaked files revealing vast surveillance operations carried out by the US National Security Agency.
23
Politics
June 12, 2013: US spy net targets Hong Kong, Edward Snowden reveals to SCMP
In a sensational interview, the ex-CIA operative says the US government has been hacking computers in Hong Kong and on the mainland for years, as he vows to fight likely attempts by Washington to extradite him.
People
Four Hong Kong ‘Snowden refugees’ arrive in Canada for new life as residents
Sri Lankan family who had sheltered US whistle-blower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong landed in Canada as privately sponsored refugees
1
Comment
Opinion|How the US shot itself in the foot with Chinese ‘hackers’ indictment
The details in the indictment against the Chinese nationals show China is no outlier in a world where cyberspying and hacking is what modern intelligence agencies in all countries are paid to do.
39
Politics
US remains dominant power in cyberspace but China is catching up, report says
The IISS report assessed 15 countries’ core intelligence powers, leadership in global cyberspace affairs, security and resilience as well as offensive capabilities.
5
Europe
Snowden says Assange ‘could be next’ after McAfee dies in jail
Antivirus pioneer John McAfee died by apparent suicide in a Spanish prison cell on Wednesday.
2
United States & Canada
Snowden’s back: spying scandal clouds EU-US ties
Media reports allege Danish intelligence helped the US spy on top European politicians.
16
Europe
US ‘spied on Merkel and European allies with Denmark’s help’
The NSA has reportedly used a partnership with Denmark’s foreign intelligence unit to spy on senior officials of neighbouring countries, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
101
Science
China starts large-scale testing of its internet of the future
Experimental network connects 40 leading universities to prepare for an AI-driven society five to 10 years down the track.
38
Diplomacy
New Zealand ‘uncomfortable’ with growing Five Eyes beyond intelligence
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says Wellington prefers ‘multilateral opportunities to express our interests’ rather than invoke intelligence network.
52
Europe
UK judge denies bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange
Judge says there is a risk the 49-year-old may abscond while the US tries to secure his extradition from Britain.
1
United States & Canada
Snowden allies see opening amid Trump clemency blitz
Republican members of Congress who have spoken with the president recently view him as increasingly malleable to their suggestions in his closing days.
1
United States & Canada
Explainer|Q: Traitor or hero: who is Edward Snowden?
The US whistle-blower who leaked classified US intelligence documents from the NSA in 2013.
3
United States & Canada
Q: Why does Edward Snowden want US-Russian citizenship?
Snowden is keen to ensure he is not separated from his son.
United States & Canada
Glenn Greenwald resigns from The Intercept over Biden article
Prize-winning journalist who broke Edward Snowden story accuses news outlet he founded of censorship after it refuses to publish his piece.
United States & Canada
NSA mass spying exposed by Snowden was illegal, US court rules
US court ruling comes seven years after Edward Snowden blew the whistle on the mass surveillance of Americans’ telephone records.
Just Saying|Is the US encouraging murderers and rapists to hide in Hong Kong?
Yonden Lhatoo says the Trump administration has not only cut off the city’s nose to spite China’s face, it has also shot itself in the foot by killing a reciprocal deal that allowed the transfer of fugitive offenders
SCMP ColumnistYonden Lhatoo
United States & Canada
Q: Will Edward Snowden receive a pardon?
As political opinion is divided, the US President considers a possible pardon.
United States & Canada
Q: Why couldn't the CIA stop its hacking tools from being stolen?
A probe into the leak found that the CIA's day-to-day security practices were lax.
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