Just because they are less advanced doesn't mean they are that different.
The day we stoop to lower standards out of competition instead of rising above it, is the day we abandon those pieces of paper known as the declaration of independence and the bill of rights
What Snowden wanted to do show was right, how he did it was wrong.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort
He did not aid the enemy nor gave them comfort except in showing that the US government was acting as the enemy of its own people and violating the fourth amendment blatantly.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects,[a] against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized
The way the government was carrying it out, it was without probable cause. It would make sense to search the e-mails of the attendants of a mosque suspected of harbouring terror sympathizers upon prior(even if classified) approval by a high court judge. But without cause and literally amassing data for the heck of it; that is plain immoral.
It is NOT about us or them being advanced or possessing more iphones.. its about us being better at valuing human life than them.. every aspect of human life.