We should know at least the broad strokes of the powers that the government's claiming in our name, and using allegedly, on our behalf. And also against us as well.

We have to be able to ask questions in order to answer them.

You can't come up against the world's most powerful intelligence agencies and not accept the risk. If they want to get you, over time they will.

Anyway, it's not true that the authorities cannot access the content of the phone even if there is no back door. When I was at the NSA, we did this every single day, even on Sundays. I believe that encryption is a civic responsibility, a civic duty.

I have had no contact with the Chinese government ... I only work with journalists.

You are not even aware of what is possible. The extent of their capabilities is horrifying. We can plant bugs in machines. Once you go on the network, I can identify your machine. You will never be safe whatever protections you put in place.

I'm familiar with Andrei Sakharov reputation, but I don't know his personal history at all.