Edward Snowden’s Concern For Individual Privacy

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Introduction

This paper examines the raw intentions of defence contractor Edward Snowden, while he was working for the National Security Agency. It reveals when and where the secretive documents Mr. Snowden obtained were released to the public media. In addition, Mr. Snowden’s ethical concerns and actions are going to be compared with the ACM code of ethics, and conclude that his doing by leaking government top-sercret information was unethical. Furthermore, this paper will contain the charges and allegations the United States government has charged this former employee. Finally, in-depth look at the action and purpose from Mr.Snowden himself and conclude, if he acted ethically in some way.

We will begin by listing the initial signs of Mr.Snowden ethical concerns for United States citizens. Additionally, we will analyze how Snowden was able to obtain highly classified documents during this brief time frame of employment with the National Security Agency. Furthermore, Mr.Snowdens actions will be compared to the ACM code of ethics in section 3, and last in section 4 that Mr. Snowden’s use of whitleblowing was unethical.

It is no doubt that this action, Mr. Snowden caused was one of the most substantial leaks in United States political history. By downloading nearly 1.5 million files, according to national intelligence officials and handing over a copy to journalist Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitas in Hong Kong, without proper consent. It was not long before the media released this information and found the person responsible for the leak. Immediate actions were taken by placing Mr. Snowden at the Top of the F.B.I.’s most wanted list. The action of releasing private information without consent is highly illegal and unethical.

Does Edward Snowden’s Action make him a Traitor or Patriot?

It is known that being an American whistleblower has negative outlook and is defined by our government as being a traitor. However, Mr. Snowden actions were patriotic simply because he intended to inform the U.S. citizens that the government granted itself power to mass surveillance that it is not entitled to have. According the Washington Post, “Snowden did an important and brave service for the American public and in fact, the world, when he made it possible for news organizations to reveal widespread government surveillance of citizens” (Margaret Sullivan, 2016).

It is clear to say that Mr. Snowden’s intentions were revolutionary because obtaining highly classified files is valuable and could be sold to a few different countries for profit. Since, Mr. Snowden intentions were not for profit it proves that he is not a traitor.

Comparison of Snowden’s Actions with Specific Provisions of ACM Code of Ethics

Does the intentions of Snowden change our investigation given that NSA Director Keith Alexander told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that Snowden fabricated digital keys that gave him access to certain areas way above his clearance as a low-level contractor and system adiminstrator.

Certainly, misusing your access and fabricating digital key to access top-secret information is unethical. The action of downloading documents is unethical but it what those stolen documents contain is what might change our opinion. Snowden knew that the value of information could be sold for money however, his reason for those actions was to merely inform the public of updated laws and agreements. Informing American citizens that the government has approved mass surveillance privately is solely ethical. The privacy of American citizens were discussed in secret through our government and it is for this reason that Snowden actions are ethical. Under ACM rule 1.1 Snowden contributed to society by acknowledging that people are stakeholders in computing, promoting fundamental human rights and protecting each individual’s right to autonomy.We can argue that Snowden’s act of whistleblowing was to contribute to society and to human well-being as ethical.

Under ACM rule 1.2, Snowden failed the ethical test by causing harm with disclosing sensitive information. In addition, he failed another ethical test in ACM rule 2.3, understanding the laws of being employed by the national security agency (NSA) and downloading work-related files and exposing those documents to the press. Unfortunately, this kind of agreement of mass surveillance was not spoken upon by one person. It had taken several people in the government to agree that this kind of agreement should be kept private. Snowden acted alone to inform millions of mass surveillance which in turn is unethical

Conclusion

In conclusion, Snowden’s intent of informing society that the government has passed laws behind closed doors to legalize human survillance is ethical. The action of replicating digital keys to obtain highly classified files without consent by himself caused harm to his previous employers, and for these two reasons his actions are unethical.