Snowden: NSA involved in industrial espionage

Protesters supporting Edward Snowden. Photograph by Mike Herbst

Edward Snowden has accused the US’ National Spy Agency (NSA) of being involved in industrial espionage in an interview for German television.

Snowden told ARD TV that the NSA would steal information and secrets that were in the interests of US companies, not just for reasons of “national security”, and used technology firm Siemens and an example target.

Speaking from Russia, where he has claimed asylum, Snowden said:

“If there’s information at Siemens that’s beneficial to U.S. national interests – even if it doesn’t have anything to do with national security – then they’ll take that information nevertheless” Snowden said, according to ARD, which recorded the interview in Russia where he has claimed asylum.”

The former NSA analyst turned infamous whistleblower went on to say that he had now given all the inormation and documents he stole from the NSA to select journalists, and he now had no control over their release or the prevention thereof.

The NSA spying on German citizens became a hot topic in Germany after Snowden revealed that the US spy agency monitored the mobile phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a supposed ally of the US. Germany is now reportedly pushing for a “no-spy” agreement with the US, although no details of any such deal have been announced.