Edward Snowden Hero Or Traitor Essay

Edward Snowden: Hero or Traitor Former National Security Agency subcontractor Edward Snowden is known to be both a hero and a traitor. In 2013, Snowden was in the process of collecting some top secret documents held by NSA surveillance. He found some of the documents disturbing. Records contained information of the government’s secret tracking of Americans’ phone records. Snowden quickly leaked the information, and newspapers began printing this top secret information. Many argue whether he is a hero for protecting the privacy of American citizens, or if he is traitor for releasing information to prospective terrorists. Prior to the leakage aftermath, Snowden immediately requested a leave of absence from the NSA for medical reasons. Carrying quantities of documents, Snowden flew to Hong Kong where he met with several journalists and filmmakers. The following day, government information flooded the entire country. Snowden stated, "I'm willing to sacrifice my former life because I can't in good conscience allow the U.S. government to destroy privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive

government’s dishonesty of privacy, Edward Snowden has done the American people a huge service. Realizing the consequences that could follow, Snowden still chose to risk his personal safety for the benefit of the American people. From the words of Snowden himself, he said, “I don't want to live in a world where everything I say, everything I do, everyone I talk to, every expression of creativity and love or friendship is recorded.” Yes, Edward Snowden did not abide by the law given to him in his profession, but he believed that his responsibility to inform others of the government’s dishonesty was worth the risk. He could’ve followed orders, but chose to uphold what was morally