U.S. intelligence has the legal right to monitor foreign communications as they go through to U.S. service providers. However, even though something is legal doesn't make it right. I'm not American; I don't really care about what data is being collected about American citizens. I'm worried about us, the foreigners.

In this quote, Mikko Hypponen addresses the issue of U.S. intelligence and its legal authority to monitor foreign communications that pass through U.S.-based service providers. While acknowledging that this practice may be legal, he highlights a key distinction: just because something is legally permissible doesn't necessarily mean it is ethical or right. Hypponen is concerned with the broader implications of surveillance, particularly the potential for overreach and the violation of privacy.

Hypponen then emphasizes his concern about foreigners, implying that the impact of such surveillance extends beyond just U.S. citizens. While he is not focused on the data collection affecting American citizens, he expresses worry about how this surveillance might affect individuals outside of the U.S. This underscores the global nature of digital communications and the reach of U.S. intelligence operations, which can potentially infringe on the privacy of people worldwide, regardless of their nationality.

His statement raises important questions about the balance between national security and individual privacy rights, particularly in the context of globalization and the internet. While governments argue that surveillance is necessary for protecting national interests, Hypponen suggests that the reach of such surveillance may overstep ethical boundaries, especially when it affects people who are not citizens of the country conducting the surveillance.

Ultimately, Hypponen's quote serves as a critique of the practices of surveillance that, although legal, may not be justified on moral or ethical grounds. He is advocating for greater awareness and responsibility in how intelligence is handled, especially when it concerns the privacy of individuals outside the jurisdiction of the country conducting the surveillance. His concern about foreigners highlights the need for global cooperation and respect for privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.