Edward Snowden: Who He Is & What He Did
5th July 2013
Share This Article:
Computer Analysist to Whistleblower; former NSA employee Edward Snowden is wanted by the US government for espionage after providing top-secret information to a British newspaper.
What did he leak?
Information about two programmes known as PRISM and TEMPORA have been leaked by Snowden after a “crisis of conscience”.
PRISM accesses data held by the world’s major internet companies such as Google, Facebook and Apple, detailing online activity including the contents of emails and instant messaging. However, the companies deny any knowledge of the programme. As the majority of internet sites used by UK nationals are US based, the National Security Agency can intercept this information.
The UK’s Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) has hacked into over 200 fibre optic cables to gain access to phone conversations, emails and social networking sites. The information is also accessible by the NSA; where over 850,000 contractors have had access.
It is thought that the agencies are working closely so that national privacy laws can be bypassed.
The projects violate the 4th Amendment of the Bill of Rights which states that the people have a right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizes, however, both of the projects are claimed by the intelligence agencies to be warranted and legal against the fight against terrorism.
What did Edward Snowden do?

- Article continues below...
- More stories you may like...
- 10 cats in unexpectedly awkward situations
- Students react to NUS Israel boycott
- 15 mind-bendingly bizarre search terms used to reach The National Student
You might also like...
People who read this also read...
TRENDING
TRENDING CHANNELS
CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH