Edward Snowden's digital 'misuse' has created problems, says Ban Ki-moon
Edward Snowden's digital 'misuse' has created problems, says Ban Ki-moon
Ban makes remarks in Reykjavik but MP Birgitta Jónsdóttir says it was 'wrong for Ban to condemn Snowden personally'
The former NSA contractor Edward Snowden misused his right to digital access and has created problems that outweigh the benefits of public disclosure, the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has said.
Speaking to a gathering of the foreign affairs committee of the Icelandic parliament in Reykjavik on Tuesday, Ban said that in his personal opinion "the Snowden case is something I consider to be misuse." The UN chief added that the opening up of digital communications should not be "misused in such a way as Snowden did".
Ban's remarks, recorded in notes taken by two people present at the meeting and confirmed by a third, provoked expressions of surprise from committee members. His depiction of Snowden as someone who had misused access to information came just hours after the NSA whistleblower made a formal request for asylum to the Icelandic government.
In interviews with the Guardian, Snowden identified Iceland as one of his top choices as a possible safe haven.
Birgitta Jónsdóttir, a member of the committee who was present at the meeting, asked Ban to clarify his comments on whistleblowers. He replied: "Access can be for the greater good, but sometimes it creates bigger problems through misuse by individuals."
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