The Impact of Edward Snowden on Data Protections, Individual Privacy, and Ontological Security

Abstract

Kylie McCardel This thesis will discuss the impacts of whistleblower Edward Snowden from his 2013 leaks of confidential documents to global media. In context of these leaks, this thesis will seek to determine the resulting changes and advancements made in the field of whistleblowing, as well as highlight other important whistleblowers in primarily American history to demonstrate the importance of their actions over the years for legislative change. Additionally, this thesis will also examine how corporations and private citizens have reacted to the Snowden revelations, with emphasis on the corporations' reactions following several major events in American society, as these entail the potential data leak from private devices.