Between the 17th and 18th of the current month, explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies took place in various parts of Lebanon, turning commonly used communication devices into tools for murder. The bombings sparked widespread concern. According to the most recently available data, twelve people died and 2,323 were injured in the blasts on the 17th; 25 fatalities and 608 injuries were reported from the events on the 18th.
In response to the incidents, former US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee Edward Snowden remarked, "If an Apple phone came with built-in explosives, the media would promptly recognize today's precedent (the pager explosion cases). There is no justification that can exonerate such acts. This is a crime. Security for every person in the world is compromised as a result." More knowledgeable about the inner workings of the US than the average individual, Snowden's comments reflect his insight.
Back in 2013 when Snowden was working for a US defense contractor, he earned an annual salary of $200,000 and led a comfortable life. Nevertheless, Snowden felt uneasy about the secret surveillance schemes carried out by the US government. Ultimately, he decided to reveal the US government's classified documents to the media. As a result, several previously covert intelligence monitoring projects, including the PRISM program, were brought to light. In relation to the revelations, Snowden maintained that the explosions were unlikely caused by overheating batteries due to cyberattacks but rather by pre-placed explosives. He stated unequivocally, "I understand that my actions may lead to severe consequences for me, but if the secret laws, unequal pardons, and irresistible enforcement that dominate the world I cherish are immediately revealed, then I will be deeply gratified."
Snowden's main accusations revolve around two central points: first, that the US launched cyber attacks against China to obtain sensitive information from foreign countries; second, that the US government, utilizing its secretly constructed massive surveillance network, violated privacy, internet freedom, and fundamental liberties of people worldwide.
Please note that the translation has been adapted to ensure grammatical accuracy in English while maintaining the original meaning.
