The controversy surrounding the PRISM program of US Government under which the US intelligence agency intercepted the communication of billions of foreigners assumed a twist today with the Hong Kong Government accusing the US Government virtually of hacking.
The whistleblower Mr Snowden who had first made public the US program was known to be in Hong Kong and the US Government had issued a request for his arrest. However it is now learnt that he has been allowed to move out of Hong Kong to a safer country and the Hihg Kong Government has issued a press release that he was allowed to move out since the US request for arrest did not meet its legal requirements.
Copy of the press release issued by the Hong Kong Government in this connection is available here.
What is interesting is that the Hong Kong Government has stated in the press release as follows.
” Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government has formally written to the US Government requesting clarification on earlier reports about the hacking of computer systems in Hong Kong by US government agencies. The HKSAR Government will continue to follow up on the matter so as to protect the legal rights of the people of Hong Kong.”
This appears to be a veiled threat that international legal action may be initiated on the US Government if necessary. This should indicate the stand some other Governments may also take. In India perhaps the Government will await for the Supreme Court judgement on the related PIL before taking any stand.
Naavi
