While this week is anything but a slow news week – with the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the presidential campaign twisting and turning as it enters the home stretch, opening week for the NFL Football season, and all of the associated National Anthem protests – there are a number of other big news events also taking place this week, all related to one controversial figure, Edward Snowden.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Snowden story (and that’s probably very few DEFEND readers), he was propelled into the spotlight in 2013 when he, as a National Security Agency contractor, released classified documents related to widespread (but mostly unknown and unpublicized) American surveillance practices.
Arguably one of the United States’ most polarizing figures in recent memory, Snowden has had a huge impact on the cybersecurity landscape. Some call him a traitor. To others, he’s a hero. And whether you love him or hate him, revile him or revere him, there’s little argument that his impact on the privacy debate has been enormous.
In history, there have been many polarizing figures. Edward Snowden, more than perhaps anyone in recent memory, is as reviled as he is revered.
But I digress…Snowden, if you recall, has been living in Russia after a tense asylum-seeking drama played out, mostly in the Hong Kong airport, after the firestorm ignited in 2013.
So why are we talking about him now? Ah, let me count the ways…
First, the American Civil Liberties Union is seeking clemency for him, with the backing of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch; and, in fact, are urging President Obama to pardon him. The official announcement is set for Wednesday, September 14th, with Snowden reportedly planning to speak as part of the campaign launch in New York via a live stream from Moscow.
Next, the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence reportedly will meet on Thursday to discuss a report, two years in the making, on Snowden’s actions stemming from the 2013 release of information.
And there’s more to the Snowden effect…and again, it’s all happening this week…
There’s also a feature film, directed by Oliver Stone and written by Stone and Kieran Fitzgerald, based on two books, Luke Harding’s “The Snowden Files,” and Anatoly Kucherena’s “Time of the Octopus.” “Snowden” is scheduled for release this Friday, September 16th.
As to the veracity of the screenplay, whether it is biased in one way or another, that will be up to each viewer – with, one would imagine, some help from the reviewers and the subject matter experts. And blockbuster or bomb, here too, time will tell. Perhaps those in the security industry and government will be the most interested, able to enjoy their popcorn with either a knowing laugh about the truth of it all, or a scornful smirk at how it’s all been misconstrued, or Hollywood-ized.
And finally, as if all of this weren’t enough for “Snowden Week,” we have the announcement that he has given his seal of approval to an app, Signal, an encrypted instant messaging and voice calling app for Android and iOS. Snowden announced that he uses Signal all the time and the app is gaining more and more publicity this week, as the “Snowden” film premiere approaches.
Will Snowden’s endorsement send Signal downloads skyrocketing or start a boycott? Again, we’ll find out. But the simple fact that we now have Snowden endorsing a security app is interesting in and of itself. And there’s no denying that your average consumer, tech-savy or not, could really use some serious protection against prying eyes…no matter who’s endorsing that application.
And is the enigma known as Edward Snowden enjoying the attention surrounding Snowden Week? Well, your guess is as good as mine!
