Isn't this true, though? It appears that all the information from the internet companies came from court orders for specific information that were reviewed by the companies' lawyers.
The simple truth is, we don't know. And that's basically the point, as I see it. The NSA (and their sister organizations like the CIA, FBI, etc.) operate under cloak of darkness and shadow, and hide behind a veil of secrecy to an extent that makes it all but impossible to have an informed conversation about any of this. And that is, IMO, incompatible with a free, open, democratic society. Regardless of what Snowden knew, or thought he knew, or didn't know, he threw a dash of light on just enough of this secrecy to at least start the conversation and subject it to some real scrutiny.
In that regard, no matter what happens next, he has already won. That said, it will be a shame if all this debate doesn't lead to some actual long-term change.
The simple truth is, we don't know. And that's basically the point, as I see it. The NSA (and their sister organizations like the CIA, FBI, etc.) operate under cloak of darkness and shadow, and hide behind a veil of secrecy to an extent that makes it all but impossible to have an informed conversation about any of this. And that is, IMO, incompatible with a free, open, democratic society. Regardless of what Snowden knew, or thought he knew, or didn't know, he threw a dash of light on just enough of this secrecy to at least start the conversation and subject it to some real scrutiny.
In that regard, no matter what happens next, he has already won. That said, it will be a shame if all this debate doesn't lead to some actual long-term change.