NSA Leaker Snowden Asks Putin About Russian Surveillance

On Russian TV, Snowden Asks Putin About Moscow Surveillance -- CNN

(CNN) -- Months after accepting asylum in Russia, fugitive U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden on Thursday asked Russian President Vladimir Putin about Moscow's own surveillance practices.

"Does Russia intercept, store or analyze in any way the communications of millions of individuals?" Snowden asked in English via a video link during Putin's annual question-and-answer program, which was broadcast on state television. "And do you believe that simply increasing the effectiveness of intelligence or law enforcement investigations can justify placing societies, rather than their subjects, under surveillance?"

Putin responded that Russia has a special service that bugs telephone conversations and Internet communications to fight crimes, including terrorism, but only with court permission and only "for specific citizens."

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More News On NSA Leaker Snowden Asking Putin About Russian Surveillance

Snowden asks Putin LIVE: Does Russia intercept millions of citizens’ data? -- RT
Putin fields question from U.S. fugitive Snowden -- Reuters
Edward Snowden Asks Vladimir Putin About Russian Surveillance -- NBC
Snowden Appears on Putin Call-In Show -- WSJ
Putin tells Edward Snowden: Russia doesn't carry out mass surveillance -- The Guardian
Snowden asks Putin about mass surveillance -- The Telegraph
Edward Snowden asks Vladi­mir Putin if Russia spies on its citizens -- Washington Post
Spy vs. spy: Snowden presses Putin on surveillance -- USA Today
Surprise guest Snowden questions Putin on spying on TV phone-in -- Globe and Mail/Reuters
Putin to Snowden: Nah, Russia doesn’t do that mass-surveillance stuff -- Ars Technica
Putin told Edward Snowden that Russia doesn’t use mass surveillance on its citizens. Here’s a reality check. -- Washington Post
Edward Snowden: From 'Geeky' Dropout To NSA Leaker -- NPR

My Comment: One can now say with 100% certainty that NSA leaker Edward Snowden has talked with Russian President Putin (albeit Snowden's question was pre-recorded).