"It's quite simple, Senator: if you're more upset at the whistleblower than you are at the lawbreaking they revealed, you're not in a position to be questioning anybody's judgment."
Edward Joseph Snowden is an American-Russian former NSA intelligence contractor and whistleblower who leaked classified documents revealing the existence of global surveillance programs.
Whistleblower on Mass Surveillance – Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor, leaked classified information in 2013, exposing global surveillance programs operated by the U.S. government in collaboration with international allies.
Former Intelligence Operative – Before becoming a whistleblower, Snowden worked for the CIA and later as a contractor for the NSA, where he gained access to classified materials.
Asylum in Russia – After leaking the documents, Snowden fled to Hong Kong and later sought asylum in Russia, where he has lived since 2013. He was granted permanent residency and eventually Russian citizenship in 2022.
Public Debate on Privacy and Security – Snowden’s revelations sparked widespread debate on government surveillance, privacy rights, and national security, leading to some reforms in intelligence practices, particularly the USA FREEDOM Act of 2015.
Author and Speaker – He wrote a memoir, Permanent Record (2019), detailing his experiences and views on privacy and government overreach. He also continues to advocate for digital privacy and government transparency.