Edward Snowden’s first revelations
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Now an iconic figure in world politics, former CIA employee Edward Snowden worked on contract for the United States government. In 2013, Snowden leaked classified data from the NSA, or the USA’s National Security Agency, to journalists Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras at British newspaper The Guardian. In the data, it was revealed that the NSA ran several programs on global surveillance in accordance with national security agencies in other countries.
It also said that this was done with the knowledge and assistance of several governments and private companies – including telecommunications giants, which seriously monitored and scrutinized data.
He was formally charged with espionage, and would go on to escape to Moscow, Russia, where he extended his stay that year.
Snowden is now in an undisclosed location in that country, and his leaks opened up a widespread discussion on data surveillance.
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