Edward Snowden is an ex-NSA computer intelligence consultant/subcontractor who, while in Hong Kong, leaked highly classified information from the agency to journalists in 2013. This information included documents relating to mass surveilance programs such as PRISM and XKeyscore. The former collected internet communications and mass amounts of phone metadata from major tech companies, and the latter giving the NSA the capacity to conduct unlimited surveillance of anyone anywhere in the world.

Post his leaks, Snowden fled the U.S. to Russia, and was restricted to the Moscow International Airport for over one month due to the federal government's cancellation of his passport. He was later granted asylum and given citizenship by President Putin in 2022.

Snowden's selfless actions shed light on the scope of the government's surveillance capabilities and activities. The leaks raised concerns regarding freedom and liberty across the nation, and forced a global consideration of government surveillance and transparency. His actions have made American citizens more cautious and allowed them to consider taking a more proactive approach to their liberties.