How we take back the internet | Edward Snowden

Appearing by telepresence robot, Edward Snowden speaks at TED2014 about surveillance and Internet freedom. The right to data privacy, he suggests, is not a partisan issue, but requires a fundamental rethink of the role of the internet in our lives — and the laws that protect it. "Your rights matter," he say, "because you never know when you're going to need them." Chris Anderson interviews, with special guest Tim Berners-Lee.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[sugarayofsunshine]

It's a sad world when the people who tell the truth have to hide.

[runinguy]

"I did not do this to be safe, I did this to do what was right."

[TheSapphire]

Strange that more people don't have as much moral courage and honesty. He is an admirable human being.

[plymakkayestudio]

"Terrorism is a word used by the government that provokes an emotional response that allows people to rationalize authorizing powers and programs that the would not allow the goverment to implement otherwise." Ed Snowden. Just powerful and so true

[lysol]

Snowden should've won the nobel peace prize

[windshipboyd]

He echoes what Kennedy said about government 'behind closed doors' just before being assasinated.
Bravo Snowden, you truly are a hero. Wishing you e a long and free life.

[alanconlan]

We need to say a big thank you to Edward Snowden. It's so refreshing to see people with such high caliber and integrity taking such a huge stand against the misdirection of governments and their agencies.

[jeredhead]

"Those willing to trade their freedoms for 'safety' deserve neither"

[RussMcClay]

The brave young man has blown my mind with his consistency, moral motive and intelligence.

[gergogergacz]

I think we underestimate what he has done for us. In his brand new book, he describes his last days before he whistleblowed. He tried to be as much with his love as he could, and he did usual household chores and general everyday stuff... This tells us that he really loved the life he had, yet he was brave and strong enough to give it all up (at the age of 29...).

[dreamgirl_evil]

I have a lot of respect for Ed, I really do 💙 he seems so genuine in his openness and truthfulness. I feel it in my core, he is a good man.

[NikaDokaLok]

I love how the interviewer is like "come here" and Edward just rolls over lol

[BLAZENYCBLACKOPS]

You have to understand the level of intelligence that this man has, he's definitely one of brightest and strongest willed individuals I've ever heard of. He speaks with extreme confidence, this is very important, he is sure of himself and he won't back down. To say that he's doing this for his own benefit would be the biggest lie of all time, this is beyond a selfless act, he has basically for fitted his life in order to speak up for what he believes in, it takes a special person to do this, make no mistake about it. If only more people had this kind of courage we would live in a better world than we live in today, say what you want about him, say what you want about me, I was raised to know right from wrong and to stand up for justice, this is exactly what this man is doing. It's pretty obvious that he stands for truth, he's not hiding his face or having his identity hidden, but his accusers say he should get a bullet in his head and they can't even submit their name, that says a lot if you ask me, it says everything actually.

[Alexandra-xtvf]

All we should ever be saying to Snowden is 'thank you.' You don't see this kind of bravery very often🙏

[theeatifier]

What I would call Snowden, is a good honest man

[alchemist]

The right man in the wrong place can make allll the difference in the world.

[adinfinitum]

I go to sleep every morning- Edward Snowden
One day there will be a statue made for this guy

[butcharmstrong]

Thank you Ed very informative and eye opening. We need to hear more from you. God Bless & Stay Safe.

[justinkovach]

I consider Snowden a Hero.
Show of hands who agrees? Disagrees?

[jcmmanuel]

There was a time I was very critical of whistleblowers - but my reaction was directly related to my perception of a guy like Julian Assange (Wikileaks), who seemed to me like an unstable personality, defending an unguided libertinism with no boundaries and little or no rational parameters. With Edward Snowden I have a different perception. What he says makes sense, he defends his acts in a rational kind of way - he argues about the more tangible basics of our freedoms as people and citizens. Most of what he says is flat-out right. The US government has gone much too far. In Europe we were disgusted by their hacking into Angela Merkel's mobile phone for instance - We're sick of those arrogant governmental games. Our basic freedom is not to be tampered with that way. They don't have to do everything in public, but they are to be accountable, and be called to justice for their acts, just like everyone else. Snowden simply speaks the language of a decent citizen who loves the democracy.