Who is Edward Snowden and Why Does He Matter?

by DD

April 27, 2025

Who is Edward Snowden and Why Does He Matter

Edward Snowden, born in 1983 in North Carolina, has become a prominent figure in discussions surrounding privacy, government surveillance, and civil liberties. His path to international notoriety began with his work for the National Security Agency (NSA) and culminated in a monumental leak of classified documents in 2013, exposing the extensive surveillance programs run by the U.S. intelligence community.

Early Life and Career

Growing up in a military family, Snowden's early life was rooted in the values of service and patriotism. He spent much of his childhood in Maryland and, following the September 11, 2001 attacks, he enlisted in the army. However, an injury led to his discharge, prompting him to pivot his career toward the intelligence community.

Snowden's journey led him to work as a sub-contractor for the NSA, first with Dell and later with Booz Allen Hamilton. It was during this time that he began to uncover the reality of mass surveillance programs that were being conducted without public knowledge or approval.

The Moral Dilemma

Within the NSA, Snowden discovered unsettling information about the extent of government surveillance. He was confronted with a moral dilemma: he believed that these mass surveillance programs were not only unconstitutional but also unethical. He felt compelled to act, fearing that the public had no awareness of the invasive measures taken against them. This sense of responsibility motivated him to leak critical information regarding several global surveillance programs.

Significant Programs Uncovered

Among the numerous programs revealed through Snowden's leaks, several stand out for their implications regarding privacy and civil rights. These include:

PRISM: A surveillance program through which the NSA collects internet communications data from major U.S.-based tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. These companies were offered legal immunity in exchange for cooperation, allowing the NSA to gather both metadata and the contents of online communications, including encrypted data.
XKeyScore: This software tool enabled NSA analysts to search and analyze vast amounts of global internet data. It allowed even low-level employees to tap into the online activities of individuals without the need for a warrant or legal oversight.
Tempora: A British intelligence initiative that infiltrated crucial fiber-optic lines for the bulk collection of data, demonstrating the extensive reach of governmental surveillance programs.
MUSCULAR: A joint operation between U.S. and U.K. intelligence agencies that targeted points where private companies failed to secure user data during transfer, effectively compromising user privacy.
Project 6: This collaboration between German and U.S. intelligence focused on tracking alleged “Jihadists,” showcasing the international dimension of surveillance efforts.
STATEROOM: Involving Australia, Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., this operation collected telecommunications and internet data from U.S. embassies worldwide.
Lustre: A joint effort between the U.S. and French intelligence agencies that acquired metadata from major French telecommunications providers.

Snowden handed the leaked documents to several prominent journalists, assisting them in understanding and analyzing the breadth of the data. Importantly, he did not directly release the information himself; instead, he collaborated with these journalists to disseminate it responsibly.

The Escape and Aftermath

After leaking the documents, Snowden fled to Hong Kong, where he met with the journalists who would help publish his findings. Once he left their company, he did not carry copies of the documents with him; instead, he entrusted them to the journalists. Originally planning to seek asylum in Ecuador, he became stranded in Russia when U.S. authorities revoked his passport. He ultimately received asylum in Russia, where he has since built a life, marrying and becoming a father of two.

In the U.S., Snowden faced serious legal repercussions for his actions, including charges of theft of government property and violations of the Espionage Act. His revelations sparked a global debate about privacy, government transparency, and the balance between national security and individual rights.

Edward Snowden remains a pivotal figure in the ongoing conversation about surveillance and civil liberties. His actions prompted widespread public discourse, leading to calls for reform in the way governments conduct surveillance and the degree of oversight required in democratic societies. As technology continues to evolve, the implications of his revelations remain relevant, underscoring the necessity of balancing security needs with the fundamental rights of individuals.