Charlie Hebdo Attack Proves Mass Surveillance Powerless Claims Snowden

The over-abundance of data collected is part of the problem, rather than the solution, the whistleblower noted.

MOSCOW, January 22 (Sputnik) – Mass surveillance in France failed to prevent the Charlie Hebdo attacks, Edward Snowden told the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant on Wednesday.

"This is consistent with what we've seen in every country. The White House did two independent investigations into the effectiveness of the Patriot Act and mass surveillance and, despite monitoring the phone calls of everyone in the United States, it hadn't stopped a single attack," Snowden told the publication.

He also noted that mass surveillance is part of the problem when it comes to providing security, comparing the attack to the Boston Marathon bombings, and telling the newspaper that "The problem with mass surveillance is that you are burying people under too much data."

On January 7, Charlie Hebdo's Paris office was attacked by gunmen, who murdered 12 people and injured another 11. The three terrorists responsible for the attack were later shot by police after an extensive manhunt.

In June 2013, Edward Snowden leaked information about the extensive surveillance practices being conducted by US Intelligence. He is wanted in the United States on a number of charges, including espionage and for the theft of government property. On August 1, 2013, he was granted asylum and later a three-year residency permit by Russia.