Oracle Chief Defends NSA Surveillance

In an interview that will do absolutely nothing to erase his reputation as one of the most controversial CEOs in Silicon Valley, Oracle's Larry Ellison took some potshots at Google while saying the government's digital surveillance programs are "essential."

During the interview with Charlie Rose, which was broadcast Tuesday on "CBS This Morning," Ellison also discussed his friendship with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and the company's prospects without him.

"He's irreplaceable," Ellison said in a transcript provided by CBS. "I don't see how they—how they can—how they can—they will not be nearly so successful because he's gone."

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