It’s not hard to argue that Edward Snowden is a warning to future leakers of government secrets. He’s stuck in Russia. Can only show up at parties as a video screen. And many of the western surveillance programs he outed continue three years later.
But in a video interview on Friday at RightsCon, a technology conference in San Francisco focused on free speech, Snowden said that’s not how he sees it. That, he said, hopefully encourages more Snowden’s to come forward in the future.
“I don’t think I’m an unhappy ending. I don’t think this is this great deterrent,” he told the audience. “I’m actually more fulfilled now, more connected now and more effective now in my work.”
Whether or not Snowden, the former US spy agency contractor, is seen as having suffered for leaking troves of documents on classified programs to the Guardian, Washington Post and other outlets, is key for western authorities in deterring future cases.
Former Obama administration officials, including Eric Holder, have suggested a plea deal could be possible with Snowden. Even Barack Obama has said Snowden prompted a needed debate, though he disagreed with his tactics.
But the administration has held firm with Snowden because to do otherwise could open the floodgates for future leakers. Snowden has said he’d return to the US if he could be guaranteed a fair trial.
And life isn’t all bad for him these days. His girlfriend was able to move to Russia with him, Congress did reform some US surveillance rules and crowds show up for his public appearances, even if he’s not exactly in the room.
As RightsCon organizer Amie Stepanovich said on stage Friday, the room was unusually full for an early morning session.
