Edward Snowden is an American whistleblower and former intelligence contractor who gained worldwide attention in 2013 when he leaked classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) to the media. Born on June 21, 1983, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Snowden's actions exposed widespread surveillance programs conducted by the NSA and other government agencies, sparking a global debate on privacy, surveillance, and government transparency. Prior to his whistleblowing activities, Snowden worked for various government contractors, including Dell and Booz Allen Hamilton, where he had access to highly sensitive information about the NSA's surveillance activities. In 2013, he leaked thousands of classified documents to journalists from The Guardian and The Washington Post, revealing the extent of the NSA's surveillance programs, including the collection of phone records and internet communications of millions of people around the world. Snowden's leaks exposed the scope and scale of government surveillance programs, raising concerns about civil liberties, privacy rights, and government accountability. His actions also ignited a global conversation about the balance between national security and individual privacy in the digital age. Following the leaks, Snowden fled the United States and sought asylum in Russia, where he has been living since 2013. He faces charges of espionage and theft of government property in the United States, and his asylum status has been a subject of controversy and debate. Despite facing legal challenges and living in exile, Snowden remains an outspoken advocate for privacy rights and government transparency. He continues to speak out against mass surveillance and authoritarianism, and he has become a symbol of whistleblowing and civil disobedience around the world. Snowden's actions have had a lasting impact on public discourse and policy debates surrounding surveillance, privacy, and national security. While he remains a divisive figure, his revelations have prompted reforms and increased scrutiny of government surveillance practices in many countries.
