Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: Bart Gellman
Jun 8, 2020
Bart Gellman, an award-winning journalist and author of 'Dark Mirror,' shares his insights on Edward Snowden and the American surveillance state. He recounts his journey connecting with Snowden before the famous leaks, revealing the enormity of the U.S. government's digital surveillance. Gellman discusses the lasting impact of these revelations on privacy and the tech industry, emphasizing that concerns over data collection remain critical. He also argues that debates on Snowden's loyalty distract from essential discussions on individual rights and technology's role in society.
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Gellman's Background
- Bart Gellman's background in national security reporting led to his involvement with Edward Snowden.
- Gellman covered the Pentagon, diplomacy, and wrote about warrantless surveillance before collaborating with Laura Poitras on the Snowden leaks.
Initial Suspicions
- Gellman initially suspected Snowden might be a conspiracy theorist, as he received many such tips after writing about surveillance.
- Snowden's intellect and the evidence he provided convinced Gellman to pursue the story.
Snowden's Disclosures
- Snowden's disclosures revealed the vast scope of the NSA's surveillance programs, including PRISM and the collection of call data records.
- These programs collected content and metadata, domestically and internationally, raising significant privacy concerns.
