Edward Snowden
Leaked surveillance secrets
Edward Snowden is an American former intelligence contractor who in 2013 leaked classified documents revealing extensive global surveillance programs conducted by the U.S.
National Security Agency.
He fled the country and received asylum in Russia.
To supporters, Snowden is a whistleblower who exposed government overreach; to critics, a traitor who endangered national security.
His name has become shorthand for debates about privacy, surveillance, and civil liberties: He pulled a Snowden and leaked the internal documents.
Act of revealing information
- leaksUnwanted fluid escapes
- classified documentsFiles with access restrictions
- exposeMake known publicly
- informantOne who provides intelligence
transparency · accountability · courage · integrity · conscience · truth-telling · public interest · reporting
Eurasian federation, largest country
- MoscowRussia's capital city
- political refugeePerson fleeing governmental persecution
- extraditionFugitive transfer between jurisdictions
- exileBanishment from homeland
sanctuary · Vladimir Putin · residency permit · stateless · diplomatic tensions · Hong Kong · transit zone · refuge
Widespread population observation programs
- PRISMNSA mass surveillance program
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- metadataDescriptive information about content
- wiretappingCovert phone surveillance
internet monitoring · SIGINT · data collection · domestic surveillance · foreign intelligence · Five Eyes · signals intelligence · backdoor access
Betraying one's nation
- heroOne admired for courage
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
- patriotDevoted country supporter
- debateFormal argument on issues
polarization · national security · public opinion · Espionage Act · prosecution · criminal charges · government accountability · ethics
Protection of online information
- encryptionConverting data into code
- data protectionSecuring sensitive information
- Fourth AmendmentSearch and seizure protection
- civil libertiesRights limiting government power
personal data · anonymity · right to privacy · information security · consent · surveillance state · privacy rights · online privacy
Private messaging service
- TorAnonymous routing network
- secure communicationsSafeguarded exchange of information
- digital securityProtection of electronic information
- privacy toolsPrograms shielding personal information
operational security · system administrator · security clearance · contractor · CIA · defense contractor · information security · hacking
disclosure
Act of revealing information
- leaksUnwanted fluid escapes
- classified documentsFiles with access restrictions
- exposeMake known publicly
informant · transparency · accountability · courage · integrity · conscience · truth-telling · public interest · reporting · testimony
Russia
Eurasian federation, largest country
- MoscowRussia's capital city
- political refugeePerson fleeing governmental persecution
- extraditionFugitive transfer between jurisdictions
exile · sanctuary · Vladimir Putin · residency permit · stateless · diplomatic tensions · Hong Kong · transit zone · refuge · protection
mass surveillance
Widespread population observation programs
- PRISMNSA mass surveillance program
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- metadataDescriptive information about content
wiretapping · internet monitoring · SIGINT · data collection · domestic surveillance · foreign intelligence · Five Eyes · signals intelligence · backdoor access
treason
Betraying one's nation
debate · polarization · national security · public opinion · Espionage Act · prosecution · criminal charges · government accountability · ethics · moral ambiguity
digital privacy
Protection of online information
- encryptionConverting data into code
- data protectionSecuring sensitive information
- Fourth AmendmentSearch and seizure protection
civil liberties · personal data · anonymity · right to privacy · information security · consent · surveillance state · privacy rights · online privacy · citizen rights
Signal
Private messaging service
- TorAnonymous routing network
- secure communicationsSafeguarded exchange of information
- digital securityProtection of electronic information
privacy tools · operational security · system administrator · security clearance · contractor · CIA · defense contractor · information security · hacking · vulnerability
- 2013Boston Marathon bombing, NSA leaks, government shutdown, Harlem Shake, selfie
- NSANSA, signals intelligence, SIGINT, cryptanalysis, codebreaking
- WhistleblowersChelsea Manning, Deep Throat, leakers, exposers, informers
- whistleblowingleak, leaker, expose, hotline, disclosure form
- Dissident WritersGeorge Orwell, Noam Chomsky, Emma Goldman, Thomas Paine, Voltaire
- 2000s History9/11, September 11, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Arab Spring
Edward SnowdenRobert Mueller
Edward SnowdenNathan Hale