Have you ever wondered who can see what you do online? What if someone was secretly collecting your texts, calls, and search history—without your permission?

In 2013, a man named Edward Snowden made headlines around the world when he revealed that the United States government was secretly collecting huge amounts of data from ordinary people. Snowden believed this was wrong, and he risked everything to tell the world.

Edward Snowden was a computer expert who worked for the National Security Agency (NSA), a U.S. government organization. The NSA’s job is to protect the country by collecting information—especially about threats like terrorism.

But Snowden discovered something shocking: the NSA was collecting information not just from criminals, but from everyone—including phone calls, emails, and internet activity of regular people, both in the U.S. and around the world.

Snowden thought that this kind of spying was a violation of privacy. He secretly gathered documents that proved the NSA’s activities and shared them with journalists. The news spread quickly. People were shocked to learn how much the government knew about them—without a warrant or permission.

After he shared the documents, Snowden fled the United States. He now lives in Russia, where he was given asylum (protection from arrest). Some people call him a hero; others call him a traitor.

Snowden’s actions started a huge debate about privacy, security, and government power:

• Should the government be allowed to spy on people to keep the country safe?
• Or is digital privacy a basic human right that should always be protected?

Because of Snowden, new laws and reforms were made. Companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook started using stronger encryption to protect people’s data. Some courts ruled that the NSA’s actions were unconstitutional.

Even today, governments and companies still collect data. That’s why it’s important to:

• Use strong passwords
• Turn on privacy settings on your apps and devices
• Think before you share personal info online
• Ask questions about how your data is used

Edward Snowden’s story reminds us that digital freedom matters—and it’s something we all have a role in protecting.

Who is Edward Snowden and what did he reveal?

Why did Snowden believe the NSA’s actions were wrong?

What did Snowden do with the secret documents?

Why did Snowden flee the United States?

How did Snowden’s actions affect tech companies and the government?