After reading this article, you will learn about Didier Stevens' contribution to the field of information security, his influence on the development of tools for file analysis and vulnerability detection.
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In this article, you will learn about Edward Snowden’s life, his career in the intelligence services and the events that changed his life. You will understand how his decision influenced world politics, digital security and human rights. You will also get an insight into Snowden’s current activities and his views on the future of privacy on the Internet. We will talk about the films based on his story, including the Oscar-winning documentary “Citizenfour” and the feature film “Snowden” directed by Oliver Stone.
Edward Joseph Snowden was born on June 21, 1983, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA. His family had deep roots in government: his father worked in the US Coast Guard, his mother was a court employee, and his grandfather served in the FBI. From childhood, he showed a deep interest in technology and computer technology. His ability to quickly master complex systems was evident at an early age, when he could disassemble and reassemble complex electronic devices, testing his skills on various mechanisms.
At school, he showed a great interest in programming and information technology, and although he missed a significant amount of time in school due to health problems, this did not prevent him from actively acquiring knowledge on his own. He was fond of reading technical literature and spent a lot of time studying programming. He later enrolled at Maryland State College, where he continued to deepen his knowledge in computer science and cybersecurity. Although he did not receive a degree, his analytical skills and practical approach allowed him to achieve high results and quickly become an expert in his field.
In May 2004, inspired by patriotic ideals, Snowden decided to join the US Army, hoping to become part of the Special Operations Forces. However, during intensive training, he suffered a serious injury to both legs, which forced him to demobilize and change his plans for the future. This was a significant blow to his ambitions, but he did not give up and decided to look for other ways to apply his skills.
After demobilization, Snowden got a job as a security guard at the National Security Agency (NSA) facilities at the University of Maryland. The work was routine, but it allowed him to immerse himself in the world of high technology and security. Thanks to his knowledge of IT and exceptional analytical skills, he quickly received higher positions. Already in 2007, he was invited to work at the CIA, where he received access to critical government security systems.
While working in Geneva, Snowden was responsible for protecting government networks from hacking, which gave him even more insight into global cybersecurity mechanisms. However, it was there that he first encountered the scale of electronic surveillance carried out by American intelligence agencies not only on potential enemies, but also on ordinary citizens.
In 2009, Snowden left the CIA and took a contract job with the NSA, working in Japan and Hawaii. It was a highly skilled and well-paid job that gave him access to the most secret government programs. Among them was PRISM, a program that allowed the NSA to collect vast amounts of data on millions of people without their knowledge. It allowed the US government to read emails, track calls, and analyze Internet search queries.
In 2013, while working as a system administrator, Snowden downloaded thousands of classified documents and gave them to journalists at The Guardian and The Washington Post. He knew that these actions could ruin his career and put his life in danger, but his moral convictions would not allow him to remain silent. He believed that the American people should know the truth about the massive violation of their privacy rights.
In May 2013, when the US began investigating his leaks, Snowden left the country and went to Hong Kong, where he met with journalists and gave them classified documents. However, when it became clear that the US government would seek his extradition, he decided to flee. On June 23, 2013, Snowden arrived in Moscow via Sheremetyevo, intending to fly on to Latin America. However, due to the cancellation of his US passport, he was blocked in the airport’s transit area.
Snowden applied for political asylum in several countries, but most of them refused him. Finally, on August 1, 2013, russia granted him temporary asylum for one year. This status was later extended, and in 2022 he received russian citizenship. His move to russia became the subject of political controversy and international debate, as the United States demanded his return for trial.
Snowden continues to live in Russia, having lost his majority in 2022. Vin is losing a public figure in the digital rights arena, commenting on the issue of data privacy and public relations.
Edward Snowden continues his mission and continues to actively participate in international discussions on digital rights and data privacy. He regularly speaks at leading cybersecurity conferences, including events dedicated to personal data protection, cryptography, and the fight against mass government surveillance. His speeches and publications attract the attention of experts, human rights activists, and ordinary citizens who seek to understand how to protect themselves in the digital age.
In addition to public speaking, Snowden consults on cybersecurity and helps organizations and individuals implement tools to protect privacy. He actively promotes the use of VPNs, end-to-end encryption, and other technologies that make it difficult for governments and corporations to access people’s personal data. Snowden has repeatedly emphasized the need for stronger legislative regulation in the field of digital security, since existing mechanisms do not provide a sufficient level of protection for citizens’ privacy.
His revelations not only changed the course of history, but also became a catalyst for a global debate about the balance between national security and human rights. He proved that even the most powerful government structures are not invincible in the face of the truth and that the fight for freedom of information remains one of the key challenges of the modern world. Despite the fact that he is forced to live in exile, his ideas and principles have influenced many governments and companies, forcing them to reconsider their policies on the collection and processing of personal data.
Snowden also wrote an autobiographical book, Permanent Record, which was published in 2019 and became a bestseller. In it, he describes in detail his childhood, work in the secret services, the process of exposing the NSA and the consequences of his decision. His story inspires many activists around the world to fight for openness, transparency and the protection of personal data.
Even years after the revelations, Snowden remains a symbol of the struggle for digital freedom. He continues to warn about the risks of mass digital surveillance, advocate for stronger digital rights, and call for a more informed society on information security issues. His work has had a huge impact on the world, and even in exile, he continues to shape the future of the global digital age.
Edward Snowden’s life and revelations have been the basis for several high-profile film projects that have helped bring his story to a wider audience and draw attention to digital security issues.
The most famous is the feature film “Snowden” (2016) directed by Oliver Stone.
This biographical drama tells the story of Snowden’s journey from an ordinary patriot working for the US intelligence services to a man who risked everything for the truth. The film shows how Snowden made his most important decisions, highlighting the internal moral conflicts and global consequences of his actions. The main role was played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who managed to convey the depth of character and emotions of the main character.
Another landmark project is the documentary film “Citizenfour” (2014)
Which won the Oscar for Best Documentary. This is not just a film, but a unique testimony to history itself: in the frame you can see Snowden’s real meetings with journalists during his escape. Director Laura Poitras was able to show not only the scale of the revelations, but also the tension that accompanied their publication.
Both films help to better understand the motives and consequences of Edward Snowden’s actions, and also raise important questions about the right to privacy, digital surveillance and the responsibility of governments to their citizens.
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