When Edward
Snowden shared USA intelligence documents with journalists in June
2013, he revealed the shocking extent of global mass surveillance.
He showed
how governments were secretly hoovering up huge chunks of our
personal communications, including private emails, phone locations,
web histories and so much more. All without our consent.
His courage
changed the world. He sparked a global debate, changing laws and
helping to protect our privacy. For the first time in 40 years, the
USA passed laws to control government surveillance. Globally,
technology companies including Apple and WhatsApp are now doing more
to protect our personal information.
None of this
would have happened without Edward Snowden. A former US Attorney
General admitted that Snowden’s revelations “performed a public
service”. Even President Obama said that this debate about
surveillance “will make us stronger”.
Edward
Snowden is a human rights hero. Yet he faces decades in prison,
accused of selling secrets to enemies of the USA. With no guarantee
of a fair trial in his home country, he is living in limbo in Russia.
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