Amazing. Endorsed by Snowden makes me trust this so much
„Snowden didn’t just steal information about “domestic spying” operations. The truth is Snowden apparently stole many more files related to what most in the intelligence community and beyond see as legitimate, overseas spy operations — including anti-terror operations and those targeted against the U.S. by our enemies. He reportedly focused his theft on the most sensitive “Level 3” data that includes lists of sources and methods in China, Russia and Iran.
This is the type of information that “could invalidate America’s entire intelligence enterprise if it were placed in the hands of an adversary,” Esptein writes. He suggests Snowden would have known Booz-Allen Hamilton in Hawaii (his last contractor position) was one of the few contractor facilities that had the authority to hold “Level 3” data and former co-workers believe he took the lesser paying gig”
The data Snowden took relative to his access level does not support your theory.
The most amazing thing about Snowden case was his access to information. Normally NSA employees have a combination of clearances: TS (top secret) and then SI (signals intelligence), TK (talent keyhole), and Gamma (with subcompartments).
But then they gave some IT staff like Snowden special "root access like" clearance called PRIVAC (Privileged Access) where people had access to all data collected. Snowden had open list of live feeds from all active operations, drone feeds and other information regardless of classification all over the world.
PRIVAC didn't have two man rule, restricted access to contractors or compartmentalization until Snowden came out and Senate hearings happened. NSA clearly prioritized cost and data collecting over security.
If there was actual spy in the same position as Snowden, or if Snowden really had
the intention to spill everything to harm the US, the damage done would be catastrophic.
> The data Snowden took relative to his access level does not support your theory.
How do you know that? The only people who know what Snowden took are Snowden, the journalists, the NSA, and the foreign intelligence agencies who took the data from the journalists.
Nobody thinks Snowden had the intention to damage the US. He was just so stupid that he did it accidentally.
We know at the very least that he took lists of Chinese targets and when they were compromised and gave them to the SCMP, who reported in broad terms about the content of the lists. We know he gave a list of war zone and drug trafficking targets to Greenwald because he reported them. We know he gave a list of Western European political targets to Greenwald because he reported them as well. We have no idea what Russian target lists he took.
Spy vs recruited asset/“public interest” spokesperson/super bowl ring in human form. Not equivalent. Recruit could believe he’s helping global public.
Arrogant enough to leave breadcrumbs about how he didn’t take the “really damaging stuff” which would have increased the chance of a kinetic reaction. What can you get away with? Seem like you’re the good guy exposing weaknesses while attempting to claim no damage
Snowden handed over blueprints to global spying operations. It’s not an exaggeration to say that shtf since then. He’s a Russian operative at this point, if not premeditated
Honestly he could have just flown to “His” destination instead of HK she’ll game. He’s so careful yet he just goes public while still in HK? Haphazard disclosure like that doesn’t match his careful nature
Snowden committed treason. Act of war, full stop
You don’t credit the person who torched your imperfect building to the ground with forcing you to build a better building, placing you in some ways at a long term strategic disadvantage relative to your adversaries who are running with those blueprints
He did take potentially damaging information but he was very careful to hand it over to responsible journalists who then filtered out what was relevant.
Given his circumstances at the time he did the best he could in balancing peoples right to know against legitimate stuff I think.
Snowden successfully evaded notice and basically "got away with it" to the extent that he tried. Whether or not you think he was justified has no bearing on his obvious opsec competence.
Despite the unnecessary tone, nothing stated seems likely to be false. It seems likely that adversaries would have adjusted their methods based on Snowden’s disclosures. Which parts seem unlikely?
„Snowden didn’t just steal information about “domestic spying” operations. The truth is Snowden apparently stole many more files related to what most in the intelligence community and beyond see as legitimate, overseas spy operations — including anti-terror operations and those targeted against the U.S. by our enemies. He reportedly focused his theft on the most sensitive “Level 3” data that includes lists of sources and methods in China, Russia and Iran.
This is the type of information that “could invalidate America’s entire intelligence enterprise if it were placed in the hands of an adversary,” Esptein writes. He suggests Snowden would have known Booz-Allen Hamilton in Hawaii (his last contractor position) was one of the few contractor facilities that had the authority to hold “Level 3” data and former co-workers believe he took the lesser paying gig”