Word abut the surveillance programs (dubbed Echelon) was common-sense on #phrack as far as 2002. We have had American and German Intelligence agencies capture traffic at the Slovenian Internet Exchange at least since 2007. When the affair broke out, Germans stated that they will cease cooperation with the Slovenian Intelligence Agency, and the entire thing was swept under the rug.
Unfortunately, whistleblowing really takes substantial evidence, and that's what Snowden provided.
Unfortunately, whistleblowing really takes substantial evidence, and that's what Snowden provided.