The Rest Is Classified 47. The Leak That Changed The World: Spying on the World (Ep 5)
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May 18, 2025 The podcast dives into the ongoing fallout from Edward Snowden's leaks, highlighting how global surveillance practices extend beyond the U.S. Britain’s controversial 'Mastering the Internet' initiative raises eyebrows. The ethical dilemmas faced by journalists reveal the complexities of publishing leaked information. Snowden's tense recruitment in Moscow adds another layer to his story, as discussions explore the intricate balance between privacy and national security in a digital age. What are the real costs of these revelations on international relations?
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Snowden’s Moscow Airport Detention
- Edward Snowden was detained in Moscow airport and confronted by Russian security services at passport control.
- Despite careful espionage tradecraft, his identity and actions brought immediate attention and complications.
Russian Intelligence’s Initial Suspicion
- Russians cautiously assessed Snowden to verify if he was genuine or a US setup.
- Multiple Russian intelligence agencies vied for access to interrogate him and assess his value.
Snowden's Handling of Leaked Data
- Snowden claims he didn't bring the NSA leaks archive to Russia and gave it to journalists instead.
- The possibility exists he set a dead-man switch or uploaded data elsewhere as a safety measure.
