Edward Snowden Speaks at Token2049: Government Surveillance Remains Unchanged

Edward Snowden, the whistleblower responsible for the "Prism" revelations, addressed the Token2049 conference via video link. He stated that while much has changed since his last visit to Singapore in 2009, the US government's surveillance of everyone, everywhere remains constant.

Snowden recalled a time when regulators sought to have certain Telegram channels shut down. Knowing Telegram had the capability, the US government wanted to maintain control over platforms like Facebook. However, controlling Telegram isn't the primary goal. The real objective is for regulators to learn about individuals' "social habits" by tracking their identities and using that knowledge to control and shape them. This allows them to silence those deemed dangerous or incorrect.

Snowden emphasizes that while many people dismiss the issue as distant, every electronic device is under surveillance. He argues that ordinary people discussing cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, and privacy make Wall Street and millionaires uncomfortable. He doesn't care about the feelings of those in power.