Should Information Be Freely Available?

Angshu K.

In June 2013, Edward Snowden leaked thousands of classified NSA documents to journalists reporting for multiple news organizations including The Guardian and The Washington Post. On June 21, Snowden was charged with violating the Espionage Act of 1917 and theft of government property. Two days later, he evaded US authorities and flew into Moscow where he stayed for over one month because of his revoked passport. Russia later granted Snowden asylum with an initial visa for residence for one year, which was repeatedly extended until October of last year, when he was granted permanent residency in Russia.

Snowden has been called by many names. Traitor, thief, patriot, and activist are just a few of them. Today I’m going to be talking about why the leaks were so controversial, and also talk about the reasons why I think they had a positive impact.

Firstly, The documents showed that the US was monitoring its own citizens more than it was monitoring Russia’s. Furthermore, the NSA had created a global surveillance system in which the calls, texts, and internet communications of entire populations were monitored. The multiple intelligence agencies responsible for the collection of data claimed that they were doing it in the name of counter-terrorism, but in December of 2013, Snowden wrote: “These programs were never about terrorism; they’re about economic spying, social control, and diplomatic manipulation. They’re about power.” And according to a White House panel member, the NSA never stopped any terrorist attack.

The leaks caused many White House officials to resign because of ethical concerns and subjected the NSA to extra scrutiny by congress, the courts, and the president. Laws were put in place to prevent mass surveillance and facilitated the current NSA director’s resignation.

Other than a few instances in which certain terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda attempted (unsuccessfully) to use the leaked documents to change their communications to evade Intelligence agencies, the effects of the Snowden leaks were positive.  None of the things I listed would have happened if the documents in question were not disclosed.

To conclude, The Global Surveillance Disclosures in 2013 leaked thousands of documents showing how American intelligence agencies had been spying on billions of people around the world. This event caused many effects, most of which were positive, and showed how freedom of information leads to a brighter future.