10 famous whistleblowers in US history

Edward Snowden

In 2013, Edward Snowden, a former computer intelligence consultant, released documents on top-secret National Security Agency programs to reporters at The Guardian and The Washington Post. Snowden tried to raise his ethical concerns about the global surveillance programs internally but was ignored.

In June 2013, Snowden blew the whistle publicly on the NSA, sparking a debate about privacy and national security. Snowden was charged with violating the Espionage Act, but sought asylum in Russia before he was apprehended. On Sept 2, 2020, a US federal court ruled in United States v. Moalin that Snowden did expose illegal US surveillance behavior. Snowden continues to reside in exile in Moscow.