While National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden remains on the run, he has a Silicon Valley legend in his corner.
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who revolutionized technology with partner Steve Jobs, said the government’s hunt for the ex-NSA contractor ultimately exposes how freedom in the U.S. is “just a joke.”
The Daily News spoke with the 62-year-old millionaire inventor Tuesday about the NSA scandal, as well as his take on the upcoming Jobs biopic and his newfound kinship with Kanye West.
Wozniak, nicknamed Woz, founded Apple with Jobs in 1976, but left the computer giant in 1987 to work on new projects. He remains a revered presence in the tech scene and spends most of his time on the speaking circuit, and even appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2009.
DAILY NEWS: Do you think Snowden should turn himself in?
STEVE WOZNIAK: The government is just upset because he embarrassed them. What concerns me is what the government is doing in the name of fighting terrorism. We’re losing freedoms in the process, and what I find more and more is that this is not for freedom, not for democracy. It’s just a joke. We think we’re the most free and fair country in the world. It’s like the NSA is giving themselves permission to do what they want. At first we thought technology would give us less restriction, but with digital technology, nothing is private anymore — not even our email.
DN: Is that why you want to move to Australia?
SW: I don’t expect to move there full-time for a few years. I’m currently doing a lot of speaking engagements, and I can easily fly (out of Northern California). That would be harder from the airport in Australia. There’s so much to learn about Australia, and I can work toward my citizenship when I’m there. But I don’t plan to give up my American citizenship either.
DN: What do you make of Christie’s auctioning off one of the few remaining Apple I computers? It’s expected to fetch $500,000.
SW: There are so few of them now that they mean so much to the world. I’m glad of that; it’s cool! But I would never sell my Apple I.
DN: Speaking of Apple, what do you think about the full-length trailer released for the upcoming “Jobs” movie with Ashton Kutcher?
SW: I haven’t seen the actual movie, so I can’t judge it. I’m OK with my portrayal from what I’ve seen (in the trailers), but I’ve said before I’m wondering whether Steve will be portrayed as a saint. I don’t know how accurate it will be, but I understand the need for artistic interpretation as long as the intent and message is right.
DN: You told CNN’s Piers Morgan last week that you got to meet Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and their new bundle of joy. How was that?
SW: Kim had been calling me and my wife and wanted me to meet Kanye (as a birthday present for him). So she put us up at the Beverly Hills Hotel so we could meet. But that’s when she ended up going into labor! Kanye didn’t want to leave to see us because he didn’t want people to think he was leaving Kim alone at the hospital, so we ended up going there. I spent two hours talking to Kanye. My wife spent two hours with Kim. I realized I have a lot in common with him. I shared my belief in having a good woman around, and I thought, Kim’s really showing that she’s a good woman. There’s a feeling of true love. I have it (with my wife), so I know!
