Who was Edward Snowden?

Edward Snowden is most notably recognized as a former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA) who leaked significant information regarding the agency's covert surveillance programs. In 2013, he disclosed a vast amount of classified information, which revealed extensive global surveillance practices employed by the NSA and its partners, including the collection of data from private citizens without their knowledge or consent. This action sparked a global debate on privacy, security, and government transparency, leading to discussions about the balance between national security and individual freedoms. His revelations have had lasting implications on public policy, civil liberties discussions, and the perception of government surveillance both in the United States and abroad.