Snowden says he knew the surveillance would not survive legal review . The limited investigation opens the door to possible further legal action . The ongoing data - mining can continue , pending a likely appeal . The case before Leon involved approval for surveillance in April by a judge at the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ( FISC ) , a secret body that handles individual requests for electronic surveillance for `` foreign intelligence purposes . '' Classified leaks by Edward Heath reveal the extent of the data - mining .
Snowden says he knew the surveillance would not survive legal review . The limited investigation opens the door to possible further legal action . The ongoing data - mining can continue , pending a likely appeal . Classified leaks by Edward Heath reveal the extent of the data - mining .