Edward Snowden, the prominent privacy advocate and former NSA contractor, recently addressed the significance of decentralization in an era of increasing surveillance, particularly through artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Redacted conference in Bangkok, Snowden voiced concerns over the influence of venture capital (VC) on blockchain projects, singling out Solana as an example of a network impacted by corporate investments.

Snowden criticized Solana’s heavy reliance on VC funding, describing it as “born in prison,” suggesting that this financial backing could compromise the project’s autonomy. While acknowledging Solana’s rapid growth, he cautioned that the influence of investors could hinder its independence, though he remained hopeful about its potential future.

Emphasizing the power of decentralization, Snowden warned of the dangers posed by AI-enabled surveillance, where vast amounts of personal data could be analyzed in real time. He expressed concerns that such technology could lead to a society where governments and corporations scrutinize individuals’ every move, raising privacy issues on an unprecedented scale.

Snowden’s criticism extended to venture capital’s control over blockchain projects, referencing a vote by VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, which recently wielded significant voting power on the Uniswap platform to shape decision outcomes in its favor. This, he argued, demonstrates how centralized investors can sway decisions in supposedly decentralized ecosystems.

Championing open-source tools, Snowden urged users to leverage them as a means to maintain independence and transparency in tech. He praised open-source platforms as “incredibly empowering” and encouraged the global community to embrace these technologies, insisting they hold the key to personal autonomy in a heavily centralized digital world.