Leaks from former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden triggered a much needed debate about surveillance in America, even if they jeopardized national security, the country's spy chief admitted Thursday.
"As loathe as I am to give any credit for what's happened here, which is egregious," said National Intelligence Director James Clapper, "I think it's clear that some of the conversations that this has generated, some of the debate... actually probably needed to happen."
Speaking at a conference in Washington, Clapper said the public debate about the best way to balance spying powers and privacy rights should "perhaps" have taken place earlier.
"So if there's a good side to this, maybe that's it," he said.
His comments marked the first time a senior US intelligence official has acknowledged the leaks might not have had a solely negative impact.
Officials have previously labeled Snowden a traitor who endangered America's interests and spies in the field.
Clapper, who oversees all 16 US intelligence agencies, predicted there would be more revelations from Snowden, and said he was worried about their long-term effects.
He said he was concerned about "the impact, frankly, on our national security and the damage caused by these continuous stream of revelations."
But he said the intelligence community should be more open about its work, even if that meant taking more risks, to ensure that Americans and their representatives in Congress trusted their spy services.
He said his office had this week declassified hundreds of pages of documents from the court that oversees electronic surveillance as part of an attempt to be more transparent.
"Transparency of course is a double-edged sword. It's great for us, great for our citizens. But of course the adversary goes to school on that transparency too," he said.
"But I'm convinced we have to err on the side of more transparency because, most importantly, we won't have any of this if we don't have the trust and confidence of citizens and their elected representatives."
Clapper said he had met with executives from some news media companies to discuss the fallout from the Snowden leaks and found a "big gulf" between how the two sides viewed what affects national security.
And he acknowledged that it was difficult to make the case publicly for current surveillance powers in the aftermath of a wave of bombshell revelations.
It was "a real challenge to sort of punch back and make the alternative case," he said.
"So one of the things we're doing, obviously, is to try to open up, be more transparent, explain to people what we're doing."
To prevent more leaks from insiders, the intelligence agencies were working to improve security clearances and to introduce a single system for all the spy agencies' computer services, he said.
Snowden had worked as a subcontractor in a National Security Agency regional office in Hawaii before handing over secret documents to newspapers that lifted the lid on the extent of US surveillance, including trawling through Americans' phone records and online traffic.
Snowden, who has been charged with espionage by US authorities, has secured temporary asylum in Russia, and his disclosures continue to trickle out in the Guardian and other publications.
President Barack Obama has defended the NSA's surveillance as lawful but has left the door open to more oversight from Congress or through other measures.
Clapper, who addressed an intelligence and security alliance "summit," said he expected new legislation to revise surveillance authorities, and that the changes would be helpful if it helped shore up public confidence.
But he said the NSA, for which he worked earlier in his career, was "an honorable institution" that deserved respect for its work.
AFP
Thu Sep 12 2013
![Snowden leaks sparked welcome debate: US spy chief Snowden leaks sparked welcome debate: US spy chief](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-08/61376355789_295x200.jpg)
AWANI Borneo [16/07/2024] – SUKMA 2024 | Sentiasa berwaspada | Pintu sempadan
AWANI Borneo Selasa, 16 Julai 2024 bersama Fauzi Zin.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
- SUKMA 2024 : Nasib acara takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini.
- Ribut petir diramal di Sabah, Bomba saran penduduk berhati-hati.
- Urusan imigresen di sempadan, Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan.
![Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51714453013_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Hukuman penjara bapa lakukan serangan seksual ke atas 3 anak perempuan dikurangkan
Dalam penghakimannya, Che Mohd Ruzima berkata perayu gagal membuktikan bahawa Mahkamah Sesyen terkhilaf dalam memutuskan kes itu.
Malaysia-Brunei adakan rundingan mudahkan urusan Imigresen
Malaysia dan Brunei akan mengadakan rundingan bagi memudahkan proses keluar masuk rakyat kedua-dua negara.
![Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124936_KimPanGon.jpg)
Pan-gon mahu kekal hubungan baik dengan Malaysia
Bekas ketua jurulatih Harimau Malaya Kim Pan-gon mahu mengekalkan hubungan baik dengan skuad itu biarpun tidak lagi bersama.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses Projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
Sentiasa berhati-hati, ribut petir diramal berlaku di Sabah
Orang ramai khususnya yang tinggal di kawasan berisiko di Sabah disaran agar bersiap siaga terutama dari segi perubahan cuaca yang tidak menentu yang seterusnya akan mengakibatkan bencana banjir dan pokok tumbang.
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita diketahui Khamis ini
Nasib acara sepak takraw wanita berpasukan dalam Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) edisi ke-21 di Sarawak akan ditentukan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa SUKMA Peringkat Kebangsaan pada Khamis ini.
JPBM Sabah serah jentera khas buat pasukan sukarela
Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri Sabah sedang dalam perancangan untuk menyerahkan jentera khas, iaitu Volunter Fire Rescue Tender (VFRT) untuk Pasukan Bomba Sukarela (PBS) di Sabah.
Sarawak akan pertahan pingat sukan Muay Thai edisi lalu
Skuad Sarawak akan berusaha mempertahankan masing-masing dua emas, perak dan gangsa dalam kejohanan SUKMA yang dimenangi dalam edisi lalu.
![Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721124841_TBFAM.jpg)
Usaha pujuk Pan-gon tidak berhasil - Yusoff Mahadi
FAM pernah berusaha memujuk Kim Pan-gon untuk terus mengemudi skuad Harimau Malaya hingga kontraknya tamat secara rasmi pada akhir tahun depan.
![Edward Snowden dapat pasport Rusia Edward Snowden dapat pasport Rusia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/81664236498_EdwardSnowden.jpg)
Edward Snowden dapat pasport Rusia
Edward Snowden bakal menghadapi tuduhan pengintipan dan berdepan hukuman 30 tahun penjara di Amerika Syarikat jika dia kembali.
![Edward Snowden diberi kerakyatan Rusia Edward Snowden diberi kerakyatan Rusia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/81664236498_EdwardSnowden.jpg)
Edward Snowden diberi kerakyatan Rusia
Snowden hidup dalam buangan di Rusia sejak mendedahkan program NASA yang menjejaskan jutaan rakyat pada 2013.
![Wanita maut dihempap tingkap hotel tertanggal Wanita maut dihempap tingkap hotel tertanggal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-01/41548060350_hongkongmaut.jpg)
Wanita maut dihempap tingkap hotel tertanggal
Tiba di Hong Kong pada pagi, maut pada tengah hari.
![Edward Snowden sertai Twitter, hanya ikut akaun NSA Edward Snowden sertai Twitter, hanya ikut akaun NSA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-10/51443707733_EdwardSnowden.jpg)
Edward Snowden sertai Twitter, hanya ikut akaun NSA
Snowden merupakan individu kontroversi yang menjadi buruan polis ekoran pembocoran maklumat rahsia kerajaan Amerika Syarikat.
![Oliver Stone akan arah filem Edward Snowden Oliver Stone akan arah filem Edward Snowden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-06/81370908005_295x200.jpg)
Oliver Stone akan arah filem Edward Snowden
Ia akan dibikin berdasarkan sebuah buku yang ditulis oleh seorang wartawan Britain mengenai Edward Snowden yang hidup dalam pelarian.
![Kerajaan terus pantau isu intipan asing -- Shahidan Kerajaan terus pantau isu intipan asing -- Shahidan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-10/61382369511_295x200.jpg)
Kerajaan terus pantau isu intipan asing -- Shahidan
Katanya Malaysia menolak sebarang bentuk pengintipan oleh mana-mana pihak kerana perbuatan itu menjejaskan kedaulatan negara dan hubungan dua hala.
![Pengintip UK, AS simpan berjuta-juta imej kamera web Yahoo: laporan Pengintip UK, AS simpan berjuta-juta imej kamera web Yahoo: laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-02/81393561985_295x200.jpg)
Pengintip UK, AS simpan berjuta-juta imej kamera web Yahoo: laporan
Program 'Optic Nerve' mengumpul dan menyimpan imej-imej perbualan kamera web tanpa mengira samada mereka adalah suspek atau tidak.
![Obama janji henti kawalan data telefon ratusan juta penduduk Obama janji henti kawalan data telefon ratusan juta penduduk](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2012-10/41351480584_120x90.jpg)
Obama janji henti kawalan data telefon ratusan juta penduduk
Obama turut janji perlindungan bagi komunikasi warga asing dan arahan serta merta kepada agensi risikan bagi mendapatkan perintah mahkamah sebelum mengakses data sulit individu.
![PM: M'sia menentang kegiatan pengintipan terhadap mana-mana kerajaan PM: M'sia menentang kegiatan pengintipan terhadap mana-mana kerajaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-06/81370908005_295x200.jpg)
PM: M'sia menentang kegiatan pengintipan terhadap mana-mana kerajaan
Malaysia telah menghantar nota bantahan kepada pejabat Kedutaan Amerika Syarikat dan Suruhanjaya Tinggi Australia berhubung dakwaan pengintipan dilakukan di negara ini.
![Snowden terima suaka politik dari Venezuela - Rusia Snowden terima suaka politik dari Venezuela - Rusia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-06/81370908005_295x200.jpg)
Snowden terima suaka politik dari Venezuela - Rusia
Kesahihan berita itu dipertikai apabila maklumat yang diterbitkan menerusi Twitter itu dipadam. Ia juga turut dinafi oleh Wikileaks.