Source of leaks about US spy programmes is revealed

The Guardian newspaper has identified a 29-year-old former CIA technical worker as the source for leaks about US spy agencies. The paper has published a series of revelations about how security services monitored phone calls and internet data through large companies. Edward Snowden, who used to work for the CIA, asked the Guardian to reveal his identity.

Edward Snowden went on to describe how he had the "authority to wire-tap anyone, including the President". He told the newspaper that the US National Security Agency could "collect your information" when targeting terrorists.