The ACLU polled millennials in several countries, and found that the majority of young people have a favorable opinion of Edward Snowden.
The catch: a significant percentage had never heard of him.
Out of the 10 countries polled, ranked from those most likely to have heard of Snowden to least, the United States sits in seventh place. 60 percent of U.S. millennials had heard some or little of Snowden, compared to 95 percent of German young people. Snowden’s revelations made huge waves in Germany, with claims that the NSA had tapped Angela Merkel’s cell phone infuriating the country.
Of those who knew who he was, 56 percent of US millennials had a positive opinion of him—16 percent “very” positive and 40 percent “somewhat.” Just 36 percent think his actions will hurt national security, with another 34 percent unsure.
Americans were, however, more likely to think Snowden would hurt national security than young people in any other of country. Only 16 percent of German young people thought his actions would hurt national security.
40 percent of American millennials think Snowden’s actions will improve privacy protections, but 39 percent also think they will lead to less openness of surveillances practices by the government.
Snowden’s reviews were even better in Europe, where young people were both more likely to have heard of him and more likely to approve of him. 86 percent of Italian millennials had positive opinions of him, along with 85 percent of German and 84 percent of Spanish young people.
John Oliver recently taunted Snowden with the number of people who still have no idea who he is. During an in-person interview, Oliver had Snowden watch man-on-the-street interviews where people misidentified him.
“On the plus side, it seems like you might be able to go home because no one knows who the f— you are,” Oliver joked.
