Edward Snowden, a former technical analyst for the CIA and later an employee of defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, is back in the spotlight. In 2013, Snowden leaked classified documents about the NSA's PRISM surveillance program to The Guardian and The Washington Post, actions that led to his being indicted by the U.S. government. He was in Hong Kong at the time of the leaks and later sought asylum in Russia, where he has since been granted citizenship.
Recently, Snowden, famous for his exposure of the U.S. government's mass surveillance program, has again captured the public's attention with revelations about the Beirut pager bombing. Through an exclusive interview, he not only delved into the logic behind the event, but also issued a stern warning about digital security and privacy protection to the world. Snowden stated that the Beirut pager bombing was not just an isolated terrorist attack, but rather a reflection of the serious reality of security vulnerabilities in the digital age. He emphasized that as communication technology rapidly advances, personal devices have become important targets for intelligence gathering. The consequences can be dire if these technologies are misused. He said, "We live in a world surrounded by technology, but this technology can also be used to surveil, track, and even directly harm innocent people."
Snowden also called for greater media attention, stating that "The media's casual handling of this incident shows their insufficient understanding of how terrifying today's events really are," while hinting at the close ties between this incident and the U.S. CIA and the Israeli government. In a post on social media, Snowden wrote, "If one day, Apple phones come with explosives inside, the media would understand much more quickly the horror of what has happened today. There is no excuse for this; it's a crime. The bombing incident has made everyone in the world less safe."
