Is Obama Going Beyond Orwellian?

We Examine If American Security Measures Are Going Too Far.

Courtesy Of Al-Jazeera

Edward Snowden has revealed himself as the source of leaked information on a secret US spy programme that harvests internet and phone records of US citizens and foreigners.

The former CIA worker says he has leaked the details of the US National Security Agency's surveillance programme to 'protect basic liberties for people around the world.'

Snowden is now in Hong Kong. A spokesman for the Director of National Intelligence says the case has been referred to the US Department of Justice where it will be treated as a criminal matter.

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, Snowden made clear he was fully aware of the risk he has taken. But that he had no choice but to act.

"I'm no different from anybody else. I don't have special skills, I'm just another guy who sits there day to day in the office, watches what's happening ... This is something that's not our place to decide, the public needs to decide whether these programmes or policies are right or wrong, and I'm willing to go on the record to defend the authenticity of them, and say I didn't change these, I didn't modified the story ... This is the truth, this is what's happening, you should decide whether we need to be doing this," he declared.

So are American security measures going too far? What will happen to Edward Snowden? And will there now be reform of the US's surveillance operations?

Inside Story Americas, with presenter Shihab Rattansi, discusses with guest: David Colapinto, a lawyer who has represented a number of whistleblowers.