As if he’s a fine one to talk, Russian president Vladimir Putin reportedly said government surveillance shouldn’t break the law. If Russia’s secret surveillance program was leaked, I am pretty sure Vladimir Putin wouldn’t be singing this tune.
Data surveillance is an acceptable measure if done within the law, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin told RT while visiting the channel in the capital.
“Such methods are in demand. But you can’t just listen to the phone call in Russia; you need a special order from court. This is how this should be done in civilized world. If it is in the framework of the law, then it’s ok. If not it is unacceptable,” Putin said answering the question of RT’s Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan. Commenting on Obama’s statement that “You can’t have 100 per cent security and 100 per cent privacy,” Putin disagreed, saying it possible if done within the law. Source: Russia Today
I wonder, is Vladimir Putin sending a message to the West, that leaking classified information is okay and that his country could grant such persons asylum? Sorry, but the reason for Putin’s soft-heart is the potential treasure trove of information his country could gain from someone like Edward Snowden. Oh the hypocrisy — remember those Russian feminist activists jailed for exercising their right to free speech by staging an anti-government protest?
This was cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.