Glenn Greenwald - Why Privacy Matters

In democratic societies some things have long been considered sacrosanct. Such as the right to privacy. Not any more. It is violated on a routine and systematic basis. States scream: national security or terrorism to justify their expansion of surveillance. In terms of the sheer scope of spying the USA puts the old USSR to shame. Without privacy there is neither freedom nor democracy. There has to be a space where you can express your innermost thoughts, emotions and vulnerabilities. The cameras, microphones, and drones eliminate that possibility. Thanks to Edward Snowden and a handful of courageous journalists and filmmaker Laura Poitras we have learned much of how our fundamental rights are being undermined. In this Orwellian world, Big Brother is omnipotent and omniscient. Is this a tolerable situation? Are people going to rise up and reclaim their rights?

Glenn Greenwald, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, broke the story inThe Guardian of Washington's widespread electronic dragnet. His exclusive interview with NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower Edward Snowden was an international media sensation. He was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary,Citizenfour. He is the author ofWith Liberty and Justice for Some and No Place to Hide. He is the recipient of the I. F. Stone Award for his "path breaking journalistic courage and persistence in confronting conventional wisdom, official deception, and controversial issues." He is co-founder of The Intercept, an online investigative news service.