Mass surveillance

Ex-intelligence analyst: We need more Snowdens

I was an active duty United States Marine working in Signals Intelligence in 2013 when Edward Snowdenexposed the mass surveillance programs of theNational Security Agency. Snowden’s alleged espionage had a lasting effect both on my work and on my attitude toward it.

As a cryptologic linguist and intelligence analyst, my day-to-day activities were directly compromised when I was suddenly unable to use certain methods and tools due to the leak. Not only that, Snowden’s action created a moral dilemma for me as a member of the intelligence community. I began questioning the morality of my work. If the public was outraged by what Snowden leaked, would they be outraged by how the United States is fighting terrorism?

The Marine Corps is an organization brimming with intense patriotism and Snowden’s leak undoubtedly made the job of all intelligence personnel more difficult. He instantly became a hated enemy to the majority of the intelligence community. It was not uncommon to hear the sarcastic comment, “thanks Snowden” somewhere in the office on any given day.