I'm not sure what the state of the law is in the US but I think it's similar to the UK.
Here if you want to intercept communications it's covererd by RIPA (Regulation of investagator Powers Act)and you need a warrant.
This system allows them total visibiliy into all communictions with these systems without any warants at all.
I think this is most likely illegal in the US - they have certainly been caught doing similar things before
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_tapping#NSA_warrantless_surveillance_controversy
I certainly think he is brave and if he is exposing covert agencies breaking the law I think he probably deserves our admiration
Now I'm a big fan of people like MI5 I think they do more to keep safe than all the soldiers in Afghanstan put together - but I do think they need oversight and I do think they should keep within the law.
Intercepting communications without a warant is illegal