The Snowden leak and the NSA Controversy

For those of you unaware, Edward Joseph "Ed" Snowden is an exiled American computer specialist, former CIA employee and NSA contractor. He disclosed classified details of several top-secret mass surveillance programs to the press. He is now currently living in Russia under temporary political asylum, Snowden is considered a fugitive from justice by American authorities. 

Snowden's release of NSA material was called the most significant leak in US history since Daniel Ellsberg.

But what exactly did he leak? Snowden leaked information about two different NSA operations called PRISM. He explained that they scan through phone records and private web data looking for suspicious behavior. That includes information collected by the software giants like Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, Google and Skype.

Snowden said he leaked the information to expose abuse and protect the public, not to cause damage. But were his actions justified? Snowden has been a subject of controversy. 

Now, his leak has sparked a mix of disapproval and praise. People see Snowden as either a traitor or a hero.

If you consider him a Traitor, he broke an oath of secrecy that he took willingly and he broke the law by disclosing government secrets.

Now, Snowden said he leaked the information to expose abuse and protect the public, not to cause damage. If you see him as a Hero, you’ll see he sacrificed himself to expose the government snooping. Social Media sees him as someone who will go down in History as one of Americas most consequential whistleblowers. The main point is that most Americans don’t want this surveillance and thousands of Americans have signed a White House petition to pardon him.

Snowden is currently in Russia on a one year asylum (that's when one is afraid to live in their own country, they can requested to live in another country, become a refuge) approval that will allow him to work, live and travel in the country.Has been offered permanent asylum by four other Latin American countries — Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Ecuador though he has no plans to leave Russia.

If Snowden is extradited back to the U.S., he will stand trial on charges of espionage and theft.

By

NEIL MATHEW (A2324710002)

RAJAT KHANNA (A2305210057)

SIDHARTH GUPTA (A2305210227)