On May 20, he boarded a flight to Hong Kong, where he has remained ever since. “That is not an uncommon occurrence for someone who has spent the last decade working in the intelligence world.” He then advised his NSA supervisor that he needed to be away from work for “a couple of weeks” in order to receive treatment for epilepsy, a condition he learned he suffers from after a series of seizures last year.Īs he packed his bags, he told his girlfriend that he had to be away for a few weeks, though he said he was vague about the reason. At the NSA office in Hawaii where he was working, he copied the last set of documents he intended to disclose. Three weeks ago, Snowden made final preparations that resulted in last week’s series of blockbuster news stories. “I’m willing to sacrifice all of that because I can’t in good conscience allow the US government to destroy privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they’re secretly building.” ‘I am not afraid, because this is the choice I’ve made’ He has had “a very comfortable life” that included a salary of roughly $200,000, a girlfriend with whom he shared a home in Hawaii, a stable career, and a family he loves.

“I really want the focus to be on these documents and the debate which I hope this will trigger among citizens around the globe about what kind of world we want to live in.” He added: “My sole motive is to inform the public as to that which is done in their name and that which is done against them.” “I know the media likes to personalise political debates, and I know the government will demonise me.”ĭespite these fears, he remained hopeful his outing will not divert attention from the substance of his disclosures. He does not fear the consequences of going public, he said, only that doing so will distract attention from the issues raised by his disclosures. I want it to be about what the US government is doing.” “I don’t want public attention because I don’t want the story to be about me. In a note accompanying the first set of documents he provided, he wrote: “I understand that I will be made to suffer for my actions,” but “I will be satisfied if the federation of secret law, unequal pardon and irresistible executive powers that rule the world that I love are revealed even for an instant.”ĭespite his determination to be publicly unveiled, he repeatedly insisted that he wants to avoid the media spotlight. He is responsible for handing over material from one of the world’s most secretive organisations – the NSA. Snowden will go down in history as one of America’s most consequential whistleblowers, alongside Daniel Ellsberg and Bradley Manning.

Edward snowden autobiography