US National Intelligence uncertain how much harm Snowden caused

US National Intelligence Director James Clapper said that the activities of former employee of US special services Edward Snowden caused great damage to US intelligence.

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US National Intelligence uncertain how much harm Snowden caused. 57945.jpeg

In an interview with The Washington Post, Clapper explained that "we've been very conservative in the damage assessment. Overall, there's a lot," Clapper said. According to the official, Snowden's disclosures made terrorist groups "very security-conscious" and gave an incentive to the encryption of data.

The head of the US National Intelligence also stressed out that Snowden's  revelations may not have come to an end. "The assumption is that there are a lot more documents out there in escrow [to be revealed] at a time of his choosing," he said. 

Also read: Russia needs Snowden to create cybertroops

In 2013, Edward Snowden exposed information on the methods of electronic surveillance of US intelligence, including illegal tapping of negotiations of foreign leaders.

Fleeing from the US government's persecution, Snowden sent requests for asylum to the authorities of over 20 countries, including Russia. On August 1, 2014, he obtained a residence permit in Russia for three years. Snowden has been living in Russia since then. 

Edward Snowden was charged with violation of two articles of the law on espionage. He faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the counts. 

Pravda.Ru 

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