Edward Snowden will speak at South by Southwest Interactive via videoconference next week. The man who leaked details about the extent of National Security Agency surveillance is currently living in Russia under asylum.
If you don't have a badge, you can still hear Snowden on Monday at 11 a.m. because the Texas Tribune will be offering a free live stream of the session. Snowden will be interviewed by the American Civil Liberties Union's "principal technologist" Christopher Soghoian.
SXSW Interactive director Hugh Forrest says the decision to host a conversation with Snowden is not an endorsement of his actions.
"We don't necessarily think that everyone will agree with Edward Snowden," Forrest told KUT News. "We don't necessarily agree with Snowden on this, but as always, SXSW is a forum for ideas, and the more diverse ideas we have the more compelling the event becomes."
Snowden isn't the only controversial figure appearing by videoconference at South by this year. Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is scheduled to speak on Saturday.
