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Views on Snowden: Quotes on leaks and liberty (pictures)

From Hillary Clinton to Steve Wozniak, here's what supporters and critics have to say about Edward Snowden and democracy.

James Martin
James Martin was the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his was a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.
Laura HautalaFormer Senior Writer
Laura wrote about e-commerce and Amazon, and she occasionally covered cool science topics. Previously, she broke down cybersecurity and privacy issues for CNET readers. Laura is based in Tacoma, Washington, and was into sourdough before the pandemic.
ExpertiseE-commerce | Amazon | Earned wage access | Online marketplaces | Direct to consumer | Unions | Labor and employment | Supply chain | Cybersecurity | Privacy | Stalkerware | HackingCredentials
  • 2022 Eddie Award for a single article in consumer technology
James Martin
Laura Hautala
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1 of 12Handout, Getty Images

Views on Snowden

Edward Snowden is seen by some as a champion of democracy and by others as an enemy of the state.

The former NSA contractor leaked classified information in 2013 that led to a series of news stories revealing surveillance programs used by the US and UK to scoop up vast stores of user data and communications off the Internet. His actions have been described as a public service and as treason.

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2 of 12CNET

John Cassidy, Jeffrey Toobin

Jeffery Toobin and John Cassidy on NewYorker.com.

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3 of 12CNET

Keith Alexander

General Keith Alexander on ABCNews.com.

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Jay Carney

Former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on ABC News.

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James Clapper

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on ArsTechnica.com.

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Hillary Clinton

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on TheAtlantic.com.

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7 of 12CNET

Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham on Politico.com.

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John Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry on NBCNews.com.

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Douglas Rushkoff

Douglas Rushkoff, media theorist and open source advocate, on CNN.com.

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Steve Wozniak

Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak on ITP.net.

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Michael B. Kelley

Journalist Michael B. Kelley for Business Insider.

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Eric Holder

Former US Attorney General Eric Holder on CNN.com.

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