Edward Snowden

American intelligence contractor who in 2013 leaked classified NSA documents revealing the existence of PRISM and other mass surveillance programs — triggering a global debate about digital privacy, government transparency, and the obligations of conscience.

Revealed that the US government was conducting warrantless mass surveillance of its own citizens and allies — forcing public debate about the tradeoff between security and privacy that had previously been conducted entirely in secret — making digital privacy a mainstream political issue.