NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has warned the public about using Facebook (FB) and Google (GOOG), calling them "dangerous services." He also advised that people "get rid of" file-sharing service Dropbox, while adding that Apple's (AAPL) iCloud isn't safe.

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The guidance came while speaking remotely via video at The New Yorker Festival, where he talked for more than an hour on issues such as privacy and encryption.

"We're talking about dropping programs that are hostile to privacy," he said in response to a question about what the average person could do to protect his or her privacy. "For example, get rid of Dropbox. It doesn't support encryption and it doesn't protect your files."

Snowden suggested alternatives such as SpiderOak that "do the same exact service," but they protect the content of what you're sharing.

"The same thing goes with companies like Facebook, with companies like Google." He said that although the two companies have made strides to increase the security of their programs "they are still not safe. These are dangerous services and we need to use alternatives that are better encrypted."

Snowden also said that people shouldn't have a false sense of security about using Apple's (AAPL) iCloud service.

"When you take a picture on your iPhone it gets uploaded to their service called the iCloud," Snowden said. "That data is not encrypted ...  Apple can respond to a subpoena from FBI and provide a copy of that."

He added "don't send your texts unencrypted on your iPhone. Use programs like RedPhone  ... anything by Moxie Marlinspike. These are typically free programs that are better than what comes standard on your phone, and they're safer."

Although Snowden says world governments and private companies need to do more to protect people's privacy, he said that it's up to the public not to let their rights get trampled on.

"When you say I have nothing to hide you say I don't care about this right." 

TagsEdward Snowden, Apple Inc., iCloud, iPhone, Dropbox, New Yorker Festival, NSA, data encryption, Privacy, SpiderOak, Get rid of Dropbox, When you say I have nothing to hide you say I don't care about this right