Former CIA constructor and computer specialist Edward Snowden has recently come under fire after leaking details on the National Security Agency’s collection of telephone calls and emails. Currently residing in Russia after being granted temporary asylum for a year, Snowden has been charged with espionage and theft of government property and is being prosecuted by the US government.
In June 2013, after contacting British newspaper The Guardian, news broke out that mobile services such as Verizon and AT&T collect phone records and disclosed the existence of an internet surveillance program known as PRISM. This information has been considered as the most significant leak in US history.
Unlike previous whistleblowers, a person who reveals wrongdoing, Snowden refused to stay in anonymity and openly unveiled himself as the NSA informant. On June 9 2013, The Guardian revealed Snowden’s identity accompanied with an interview in which he stated that he has done nothing wrong and has nothing to hide. Snowden was fully aware that what he was doing was against the law but felt it was a personal duty of his to inform the public.
“ I don’t want to live in a society that does these sort of things…I do not want to live in a world where everything I do and say is recorded. That is not something I am willing to support or live under.” Snowden explained on an interview with The Guardian.
Countries such as Germany and China have actively demonstrated their support towards Snowden by organizing various protests and voicing their opposition towards the surveillance program PRISM. Supporters’ claim that they would not turn in Snowden because he revealed news that the public needed to know, he was simply instituting his right of freedom of speech and of the press.
After being denied entrance into Cuba, Snowden is currently living in an unknown area in Russia. Whether he is considered a patriot or traitor depends on the person’s opinion but Snowden definitely raised awareness of the ongoing global surveillance amongst ordinary people.