Snowden, weighing up the changes, said some privacy campaigners had expressed disappointment with how things have developed, but he did not share it.
“People say nothing has changed: that there is still mass surveillance. That is not how you measure change. Look back before 2013 and look at what has happened since. Everything changed.”
The most important change, he said, was public awareness.
“The government and corporate sector preyed on our ignorance. But now we know. People are aware now. People are still powerless to stop it but we are trying. The revelations made the fight more even.”
Edward Snowden, activist, speaker, civil rights, Quotes for Now
Art of Quotation 