Edward Joseph Snowden, born on June 21, 1983, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who made headlines globally in 2013 for leaking highly classified information about NSA surveillance activities. Snowden's disclosures revealed numerous global surveillance programs, many of them run by the NSA with the cooperation of telecommunication companies and Western governments, sparking a massive debate over privacy and security.
Snowden grew up in Elizabeth City and later moved to Maryland, near the headquarters of the NSA at Fort Meade. He did not complete high school, instead earning his GED. Despite the lack of a formal higher education, Snowden demonstrated exceptional skills in computers and information technology. He took advanced computing courses and obtained various certifications that led to a career in intelligence.
He began his career as a security specialist for the CIA, working under diplomatic cover in Switzerland. Snowden's talents in IT security allowed him to ascend rapidly. He left the CIA in 2009 and began working as a contractor for the NSA, through which he was posted at an NSA facility on a military base in Japan. It was during his time with the NSA that Snowden grew increasingly disturbed by the breadth and depth of the U.S. government's surveillance and data collection capabilities.
In May 2013, Snowden took leave from his job, telling his employers he needed treatment for epilepsy. Instead, he fled to Hong Kong, where he met with journalists Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, and Ewen MacAskill from The Guardian, and shared with them a significant number of classified NSA documents. The Guardian and The Washington Post began publishing reports based on Snowden's leaks, revealing a vast web of surveillance operations that monitored the communications of hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the world.
The U.S. government charged Snowden with theft of government property and two counts under the Espionage Act, but Snowden had already left Hong Kong for Russia, where the US government revoked his passport forcing him to remain in Russia and beg for asylum. After a month-long stay in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport, Russia granted him asylum for one year, which has since been extended, allowing him to remain in the country.
Snowden's narrative begins with his childhood, describing his early fascination with technology and how it shaped his career path. He recounts his experiences working for the CIA and NSA, offering insights into the culture of secrecy and the inner workings of these agencies. Snowden explains how he came to discover and be disillusioned by the vast, unchecked surveillance operations being conducted by the United States government on its own citizens and people around the world.
The heart of the book is Snowden's decision to expose the NSA's surveillance activities. He meticulously planned the collection and release of classified documents to journalists, ensuring that the public would learn about programs like PRISM, which collected data from internet companies, and XKeyscore, a tool to search nearly everything a user does on the internet.
Following the leaks, Snowden describes his tense escape to Hong Kong, his eventual asylum in Russia, and the international fallout from his disclosures. He reflects on the personal cost of his actions, including being separated from his family and living in exile, but he maintains that the public's right to know about the government's overreach justified his decision.
"Permanent Record" is a compelling and thought-provoking memoir that offers an intimate look into the life and story of this American hero. When reading his account of obtaining and securing the information safely I was captivated much like watching an intense movie or TV show. Snowden's narrative is both introspective and informative, providing a detailed account of his transformation from a loyal government contractor to a whistleblower determined to expose the truth.
The book is not just a personal story; it serves as a critical examination of the digital age and the surveillance state. Snowden's insights into the technical aspects of the NSA's surveillance programs are accessible and engaging, making complex issues understandable to the general reader. His reflections on the implications of mass surveillance for society and individual freedoms are particularly poignant.
The information Edward Snowden leaked to the world in 2013 has had a profound impact on how we understand and engage with digital privacy, government surveillance, and civil liberties. For instance:
Increased Awareness of Mass Surveillance: Before Snowden's disclosures, the extent to which governments were monitoring digital communications was largely unknown to the public. His revelations showed that vast amounts of data were being collected indiscriminately from citizens around the world, without their knowledge or consent.
Policy Reforms and Legal Challenges: Snowden's revelations led to policy reviews and reforms in various countries. In the United States, they contributed to the passage of the USA Freedom Act in 2015, which limited bulk collection of phone records. They also prompted legal challenges that led to court rulings against certain surveillance practices. All imperfect and not enough to reign in the powers that be, but better than nothing.
Technology and Security Enhancements: The leaks led to increased focus on digital security and encryption technologies. Tech companies, motivated by both public pressure and a renewed understanding of government surveillance capabilities, have made significant improvements in protecting user data.
Empowerment of Individuals and Organizations: By highlighting the risks of mass surveillance, Snowden's disclosures have encouraged individuals and organizations to adopt stronger privacy measures, such as using encryption and advocating for digital rights.
Debunking Common Myths
Myth: Snowden Endangered National Security: Critics argue that Snowden's leaks harmed national security by exposing surveillance methods to adversaries. However, there is no public evidence that the disclosures directly resulted in tangible harm to national security. Snowden has stated that he carefully selected documents to avoid revealing sensitive operational details that could endanger individuals or national security.
Myth: Snowden Acted with Malicious Intent: Some believe Snowden leaked classified information to harm the United States or for personal gain. In contrast, Snowden has consistently argued that his actions were motivated by a concern for the public's right to know about government overreach and a desire to protect civil liberties.
Myth: Snowden Fled to Russia as an Enemy of America: Snowden's presence in Russia is often cited as evidence of his disloyalty or as proof he is working with Russian authorities. In reality, Snowden ended up in Russia because his passport was revoked by the U.S. government while he was en route to Latin America, leaving him stranded in Moscow's airport. He has stated that he does not cooperate with the Russian government.
Myth: There Were Safer Channels for Disclosure: Critics argue Snowden should have used official channels for whistleblowing. Snowden contends that the available channels were ineffective and would not have resulted in the necessary public debate or policy changes. Indeed, previous instances of whistleblowers raising concerns internally about mass surveillance did not lead to public disclosure or significant reform. The also often led to imprisonment of the leaker.
Overall, "Permanent Record" is a must-read for anyone interested in privacy, civil liberties, and the ethical challenges posed by technology and government power. Snowden's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that a single individual can have on the course of history. This American hero should be pardoned immediately.