Timeline of Edward Snowden
Edward Snowden is infamous for sharing classified government data via WikiLeaks.
He is thought to have stolen millions of digital documents, and he is still releasing them
periodically.
Here’s a timeline to help you understand what Snowden did and where he is now.
[Before 2013] Before 2013, Snowden holds various IT jobs at the CIA and the NSA, which gives
him access to sensitive data.
[May 20, 2013] On May 20th, 2013, Snowden flies from Hawaii to Hong Kong.
[June 5-8, 2013] From June 5th through the 8th, at Snowden’s behest, The Guardian publishes
its first articles revealing top secret programs like PRISM.
The US government, and President Obama in particular, are accused of unlawful international
spying.
[June 7, 2013] Obama does damage control to defend the actions.
[June 9, 2013] June 9th, 2013, Snowden names himself as the whistleblower.
In a recorded interview he says, “my sole motive is to inform the public”.
[June 12-21, 2013] From June 12th to the 21st, more classified documents are released.
The leaks reveal that the US and the UK were involved in secret surveillance programs.
[June 21, 2013] On June 21st, the US files formal espionage charges against Snowden,
and requests his extradition.
[June 23, 2013] Snowden boards a flight to Moscow, and is rumored to be heading towards
Ecuador as a safehaven.
However, he is stuck in Russia after the US cancels his passport.
[June 26, 2013] Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to extradite him.
A day later, Obama decides not to pursue Snowden in Russia.
[July 2, 2013] Snowden applies for asylum in multiple other countries.
[July 3, 2013] UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says Snowden “misused” his rights to access
digital data.
He joins a growing chorus of people questioning whether Snowden’s actions really benefitted
the public good.
[August 1, 2013] Russia grants Snowden temporary asylum for a year, so Snowden stays there.
[August 1, 2014] Russia renews Snowden’s asylum request for 3 years.
[Presently] Snowden’s leaks are still being released every month or so.
The latest document on February 20th, 2015, details how the US and the UK stole mobile
data in 2010 from a Franco-Dutch phone company to spy on people internationally.
What do you think about Snowden?
Did he make the US better or put it at risk?
Let us know!
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