In 2013,
Edward Snowden, a man, shook the United States and changed the perception of privacy forever. He was a contractor at the
National Security Agency (NSA) who leaked millions of classified documents of the United States and revealed how the government is secretly monitoring the privacy of the citizens.
Overnight, he became the most wanted person in the United States of America, and for many, he became a global hero as he showed the reality of so-called privacy to the world.
Even after more than a decade, Edward Snowden’s story is still in debate; some think that he is a traitor, while others think that he is a defender of human rights.
Who is Edward Snowden?
Edward Snowden was a former employee of the CIA and NSA contractor who is known for leaking highly classified surveillance documents in 2013.
He was an experienced defence contractor who worked for many big companies such as Dell and Booz Allen Hamilton. He was a high school dropout, but he is a genius and has advanced computer and cybersecurity skills that earned him top-level security clearance.
Snowden was trusted by a sensitive US intelligence network until he discovered the reality of these systems and for what purpose they are used for?
The NSA Surveillance Leak Explained
On 6 June 2013, the international newspapers The Guardian and The Washington Post published a shocking revelation about
Snowden’s leaked documents. These confidential documents exposed the NSA’s mass surveillance, collecting phone calls, reading emails, and messages of users.
In simple the agencies are breaching the users’ privacy, not just foreigners but also American citizens.
One of the most shocking and alarming revelations was about PRISM, which was a secret NSA program that allowed direct access to devices through telecom and tech companies.
The documents also revealed the tapping of the phone calls of famous world leaders like Angela Merkel, the former German Chancellor. The second most important truth the documents revealed is about the collaboration of the NSA and Britain’s GCHQ.
And third, the most alarming revelation is the surveillance of millions of innocent civilians.
These leaks of classified documents raised serious concerns about privacy and government overreach.
Why Edward Snowden Leaked the Documents
Later, Edward Snowden said that his choice was based on his conscience. While working on NSA systems, he learned that mass surveillance didn’t just target criminals and terrorists; it also targeted peaceful citizens.
The final trigger came when NSA Director James Clapper denied data collection under oath in the US Congress. Snowden knew this was false. Seeing the public being misled, he decided that the truth had to come out in front of people — regardless of the personal cost.
How was Edward Snowden able to steal millions of top-secret files?
Many people say Edward Snowden hacked the NSA. That isn’t accurate. He did not force his way into the system. He already had authorised access through his job. Snowden knew how the internal network worked and where security controls were weak. That knowledge allowed him to collect the documents.
Key factors that helped him:
- He was in Hawaii, more than 5000 miles away from NSA headquarters
- Time-zone differences meant less oversight
- Outdated “thin-client” systems
- His role as a system administrator gives him high-level access
He copied all the classified leaked files onto a simple USB. Over 1.5 million – 2 million documents were leaked by him.
Escape, Asylum, and Life in Russia
When Snowden leaked the classified documents to journalists, he knew that America would come after him, so he flew to Hong Kong and later went to Russia.
The American government charged him and want extradition.
In 2022, he got asylum from Russia and got Russian citizenship. From exile till now, Snowden has continued to speak about digital surveillance, and has continuously giving warning that intelligence agencies can do anything with your privacy and even activate phone microphones remotely.
Edward Snowden: Hero or Traitor?
This question has been a controversial one.
Some opponents have suggested that Snowden has harmed American National Security and assisted countries that are adversaries of America. Supporters of Snowden have suggested that he has revealed unconstitutional, unlawful wire–tapping and protected civil liberties.
The only thing that is agreed upon concerning Snowden‘s actions is:
- Initiating an international discussion on how privacy is affected by the internet and technology, and on which laws would be appropriate to improve global enforcement of internet privacy.
- Establishing laws that govern International Surveillance and Increased Awareness of Digital Rights. Encouraging legislation concerning the use of Encryption and measures to increase Cyber Security.
Why the Snowden Story Still Matters Today
Today we are living in a digital world, and every time we are connected to networks. Edward’s revelations keep reminding us about our privacy and tell us the bitter truth that privacy is not guaranteed. Even democratic governments can take our data without consent.
