Snowden questions Putin on surveillance during live TV phone-in
Relaxed Russian president joked with NSA whistleblower Snowden over both of their ties to intelligence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Edward Snowden, the former US spy agency contractor who leaked details of mass surveillance, made a ‘surprise’ appearance on Vladimir Putin's annual televised live phone in.
Former National Security Contractor Snowden appeared via a video on The Direct Line with Putin today, asking the Russian president if his country also tapped the communications of millions.
The fugitive whistleblower, who is currently seeking asylum in Russia, asked Mr Putin: "Does Russia intercept, store or analyse, in any way, the communications of millions of individuals?
"And do you believe that simply increasing the effectiveness of intelligence or law enforcement investigations can justify placing societies, rather than subjects, under surveillance?"
The Russian leader said he struggled to understand the American's English before joking about both of their ties to intelligence.
A seemingly relaxed Mr Putin caused laughter among the studio audience when he said: "You are an ex-agent. I used to have ties to intelligence. So we will speak to each other in the language of professionals."
Responding to the question, Mr Putin said Russia regulates communications as part of criminal investigations, but "we don't have a mass control. I hope we don't do that. We don't have as much money as they do in the US."
He said the Russian authorities need consent from a court to conduct such surveillance on a specific individual "and for this reason there is no (surveillance) of a mass character here and cannot be in accordance with the law".
Mr Snowden's lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said he appeared on the show by sending in the question after hearing about the president's annual Q&A session - just like everyone else in Russia.
"Edward is good with these technologies. He learned (of the programme) and taped a video," Kucherena told state-run RIA news agency. "He know how to go on the Internet in a secure way, and that is how he sent in his question."
Russia welcomed Mr Snowden's father for a visit in October and state-run television hosted a group of former US national security officials who handed him an award for "integrity in intelligence".
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments