The head of America’s electronic spy agency is defending its massive surveillance programs, claiming that eavesdropping has played a critical role in disrupting dozens of plots.

General Keith Alexander appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee.  He said the Internet data-mining program now known as “PRISM” helped thwart an Afghani American planning to conduct a suicide attack in New York City’s Times Square, and helped capture a Pakistani American who conducted surveillance in support of the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, India.

Alexander also refuted claims by the 29-year-old whistleblower that using PRISM, he could “wiretap anyone, from you or your account to a federal judge to even the president”.

“False,” Alexander answered Congress of the allegation.  “I know of no way to do that.”

Meanwhile, the man taking credit for revealing the PRISM program and the National Security Agency’s (NSA) collection of call data from one of America’s largest cell phone service providers has resurfaced.

Edward Snowden is still in Hong Kong and claims he is not hiding, even though he suddenly checked out of his hotel a couple of days ago.

Snowden told the South China Morning Post he has committed no crimes, is not hiding, and will leave it up to the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide his fate.

The US Justice department is reportedly preparing a criminal case against Snowden.