Edward Snowden

Date of Birth: June 21, 1983

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: [Leave blank as Edward Snowden is alive]

Biography

Edward Joseph Snowden is an American whistleblower, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, and former contractor for the United States National Security Agency (NSA). He was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. Snowden came into international prominence in 2013 when he leaked classified information from the NSA, revealing details of numerous global surveillance programs, many of them run by the NSA and the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance with the cooperation of telecommunication companies and European governments. After the leak, Snowden fled to Hong Kong and then to Russia, seeking asylum. His actions sparked a global debate on privacy, surveillance, and the balance between national security and individual rights. Snowden has since become a prominent advocate for privacy and civil liberties, frequently speaking out against government overreach and the erosion of civil liberties in the digital age. He has authored a memoir, “Permanent Record,” and continues to engage in activism from his place of asylum.

5 Interesting Facts about Edward Snowden

1. Edward Snowden worked as a contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton when he leaked the NSA documents.

2. Snowden was granted asylum in Russia, where he has lived since 2013.

3. He studied computer science at the University of Maryland but did not complete his degree.

4. In 2017, Snowden became the president of the Freedom of the Press Foundation.

5. His memoir, “Permanent Record,” was published in 2019 and became an international bestseller.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edward Snowden

1. “I don’t want to live in a society that does these sort of things.”

2. “Arguing that you don’t care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don’t care about free speech because you have nothing to say.”

3. “The NSA has built an infrastructure that allows it to intercept almost everything.”

4. “We are building the biggest weapon for oppression in the history of mankind.”

5. “Being a patriot doesn’t mean prioritizing service to government above all else.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Edward Snowden’s net worth was estimated to be around $500,000. This figure primarily reflects his earnings prior to the leaks, as his current financial situation is largely influenced by his status as an asylum seeker and activist.