The activist didn't spare any his thoughts on the matter, referring to new laws that would force phone and internet providers to store customer data and turn them over to the government if requested. The data collected would include calls, texts, photos, and internet activity that would be stored up to six months, and then special "metadata" that would be retained up to three years.

#Putin has signed a repressive new law that violates not only human rights, but common sense. Dark day for #Russia. https://t.co/J4I2SQ9VCe — Edward Snowden (@Snowden) July 7, 2016

Snowden, responsible for leaking classified NSA documents back in 2013, went on to explain further that the new law, in addition to "violating common sense," would cost over $30 billion to implement and enforce.

Signing the #BigBrother law must be condemned. Beyond political and constitution consequences, it is also a $33b+ tax on Russia's internet. — Edward Snowden (@Snowden) July 7, 2016

These admittedly frightening new efforts are set to go into place beginning on July 20th.