Edward Snowden

Edward Snowden

Edward Joseph Snowden is a former NSA contractor who became internationally known in 2013 when he disclosed a large number of classified documents to journalists, revealing the extent of global surveillance programs conducted by the NSA and its international partners. His actions sparked a global debate about privacy, government surveillance, and the balance between national security and individual rights.

Early Life and Education

Edward Snowden was born on June 21, 1983, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and later moved to Maryland, near the NSA headquarters at Fort Meade. Snowden showed an early aptitude for computers and technology, which led him to pursue a career in the field of information technology.

Snowden attended Anne Arundel Community College to study computing, but he did not complete a degree. He later obtained a GED and took online courses at the University of Liverpool.

Career

Snowden began his career by working for the CIA as a systems engineer. He was stationed in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was responsible for maintaining computer network security. After leaving the CIA, Snowden worked for several private contractors, including Dell and Booz Allen Hamilton, where he was assigned to work at an NSA facility in Hawaii.

NSA Leaks

In 2013, Snowden began collecting top-secret NSA documents that detailed the agency's surveillance activities. He contacted journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras, and arranged to meet them in Hong Kong to share the information he had gathered.

The documents revealed the existence of numerous global surveillance programs, many of which were run in cooperation with telecommunications companies and European governments. Among the most significant revelations was the PRISM program, which allowed the NSA to collect internet communications from major U.S. internet companies.

Reactions and Impact

The publication of the NSA documents led to widespread public outcry and debate over the legality and ethics of mass surveillance. Governments around the world were forced to address the concerns raised by the leaks, and several legal challenges were mounted against the NSA's activities.

In the United States, the leaks prompted a review of surveillance practices and led to the passage of the USA Freedom Act in 2015, which aimed to limit the bulk collection of telecommunication metadata by the NSA.

Asylum and Current Status

Following the leaks, Snowden fled to Russia to avoid extradition to the United States, where he faces charges under the Espionage Act of 1917. He was granted temporary asylum in Russia, which has been extended several times. As of 2023, Snowden remains in Russia, where he has been granted permanent residency.

Legacy

Edward Snowden's disclosures have had a lasting impact on the global conversation about privacy and surveillance. His actions have inspired a new generation of privacy advocates and have led to increased scrutiny of government surveillance practices worldwide.

Further Reading

• Glenn Greenwald, No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State
• Laura Poitras, Citizenfour (Documentary)

External Links

• American Civil Liberties Union: Edward Snowden
• Edward Snowden's Official Website