William Binney

Date of Birth: September 25, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

William Binney is a former high-ranking intelligence official with the United States National Security Agency (NSA). Born in Pennsylvania, he devoted over 30 years to his career as a cryptanalyst-mathematician, where he became well-known for his expertise in data analysis and cryptography. Binney played a crucial role in developing the ThinThread program, an NSA project designed for surveillance and data analysis while protecting individual privacy through anonymization. However, Binney became publicly known after he turned whistleblower in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks. He exposed what he saw as the NSA’s overreach and mass surveillance practices, arguing that these tactics violated the U.S. Constitution. His disclosures have had a significant impact on the public debate concerning privacy and surveillance. Binney has since become an advocate for privacy rights and government accountability, frequently speaking at conferences and participating in interviews to shed light on surveillance issues.

5 Interesting Facts about William Binney

1. William Binney joined the NSA as a civilian in 1970 and quickly moved up the ranks due to his exceptional skills in mathematics and cryptography.

2. He co-founded a company called Pretty Good Knowledge after leaving the NSA, focusing on cybersecurity and privacy issues.

3. Binney’s whistleblowing actions preceded the more widely known disclosures by Edward Snowden, yet had a similarly profound impact on the discussion around privacy.

4. He has testified before government bodies and committees to critique and offer insights into NSA practices and policies.

5. Binney was featured in the documentary “A Good American,” which explores his work at the NSA and his subsequent whistleblower activities.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Binney

1. “We are no longer a free country. We’re a police state.”

2. “The ultimate goal of the NSA is total population control.”

3. “You can’t have a free society when the government decides what information is secret and what’s not.”

4. “Privacy is essential to a free society; without it, there can be no real freedom.”

5. “We need to start thinking about how we can protect the people from the government, not the other way around.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

William Binney’s highest net worth is not publicly documented. However, it is known that his financial situation has been modest, especially after his whistleblowing activities.