Communication Quote by Edward Snowden
“What we're really debating is not security versus liberty, it's security versus surveillance. When we talk about electronic interception, the way that surveillance works is it preys on the weakness of protections that are being applied to all of our communications. The manner in which they're protected.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with The Guardian, 2013
Security and liberty are often framed as opposites, but the real conflict is between security and pervasive surveillance that erodes privacy.
In simple terms: Surveillance threatens privacy more than security protects it.
Key Takeaway
Guard your communications.
Themes
privacy
surveillance
security
liberty
technology
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- online communications
- government policy
- personal data protection
Key Concepts
civil liberties
state power
digital rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How much surveillance is acceptable for safety?
- What safeguards protect privacy?
A Different Perspective
Surveillance can be justified in extreme threats, risking overreach.
![“There are people who are always going to try to engage in activity that is illegal and they're going to try to subvert surveillance. But everybody should not give up their liberties and rights to privacy because some people are going to [do that]. We shouldn't stop or limit our basic liberties…” quote by Laura Poitras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e7b/laura-poitras-22687_activity_there-are-people-who-are-always-going-to_928708.jpg)
![“[Brazil] went to the UN and said, "We need new standards for this." We need to take a look at what they're calling "data sovereignty."” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af7/edward-snowden-555_brazil_brazil-went-to-the-un-and-said-we-need-n_14906.jpg)
![“There was a real choice when [Barack Obama] became president. It was a very difficult choice - to say, "We're not going to hold senior officials to account with the same laws that every other citizen in the country is held to," or "This is a nation that believes in the rule of law."” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/104/edward-snowden-555_accounts_there-was-a-real-choice-when-barack-obam_27838.jpg)
