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Harvard Case - Hero or Traitor? Edward Snowden and the NSA Spying Program

"Hero or Traitor? Edward Snowden and the NSA Spying Program" Harvard business case study is written by Laura Winig, Christopher Robichaud. It deals with the challenges in the field of Business & Government Relations. The case study is 34 page(s) long and it was first published on : Dec 23, 2015

At Fern Fort University, we recommend a multi-pronged approach to addressing the ethical and legal complexities surrounding government surveillance programs like the one revealed by Edward Snowden. This approach prioritizes transparency, accountability, and robust public discourse to ensure that national security interests are balanced with individual privacy rights.

2. Background

This case study examines the controversial actions of Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who leaked classified documents revealing the extent of the agency's surveillance programs. These programs, designed to gather intelligence on potential threats, involved mass collection of data on citizens, raising concerns about privacy violations and government overreach. Snowden's actions sparked a global debate on the balance between security and freedom, with arguments for both his heroism in exposing government misconduct and his betrayal of national security.

The main protagonists in this case are:

  • Edward Snowden: The whistleblower who leaked classified documents revealing the NSA's surveillance programs.
  • The NSA: The US government agency responsible for collecting intelligence and protecting national security.
  • The US Government: The entity responsible for enacting and enforcing laws, including those related to national security and privacy.
  • The Public: Citizens who are affected by government surveillance programs and have a stake in protecting their privacy.

3. Analysis of the Case Study

This case study can be analyzed through the lens of several frameworks:

1. Ethical Frameworks:

  • Utilitarianism: This framework emphasizes maximizing overall happiness and well-being. Snowden's actions could be seen as utilitarian if they ultimately led to greater public good by exposing government overreach and leading to reforms that protect privacy.
  • Deontology: This framework emphasizes moral duty and following universal principles. Snowden's actions could be seen as deontological if he believed he had a moral obligation to expose government wrongdoing, even if it meant breaking the law.
  • Virtue Ethics: This framework focuses on developing good character traits. Snowden's actions could be seen as virtuous if they reflected his commitment to truth, justice, and protecting individual rights.

2. Legal Frameworks:

  • The Fourth Amendment: This amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. The NSA's surveillance programs raised questions about whether they violated the Fourth Amendment by collecting data without probable cause or warrants.
  • The Privacy Act of 1974: This act protects personal information collected by government agencies. The NSA's surveillance programs raised concerns about whether they complied with the Privacy Act's requirements for data collection and disclosure.
  • The Espionage Act: This act prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of national security information. Snowden's actions could be seen as violating the Espionage Act, although he argued that his actions were justified by the public interest.

3. Political Frameworks:

  • The balance of power: The case study highlights the delicate balance between government power and individual rights. Snowden's actions raised questions about whether the government had become too powerful and whether it was adequately respecting individual privacy.
  • Transparency and accountability: The case study underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in government. Snowden's revelations exposed a lack of transparency in the NSA's operations and highlighted the need for greater oversight and accountability.
  • National security vs. individual rights: The case study illustrates the ongoing tension between national security interests and individual rights. Snowden's actions forced a debate about how to strike a balance between these competing interests.

4. Recommendations

To address the complexities of government surveillance programs, we recommend the following:

1. Enhance Transparency and Accountability:

  • Establish an independent oversight body: This body should have the authority to review and audit government surveillance programs, ensuring they comply with legal and ethical standards.
  • Implement stricter regulations: These regulations should clarify the legal basis for surveillance programs, define the permissible scope of data collection, and establish clear procedures for data retention and destruction.
  • Increase public disclosure: The government should be more transparent about its surveillance activities, providing clear and accessible information about the programs, their purpose, and their legal basis.

2. Strengthen Privacy Protections:

  • Implement strong data protection laws: These laws should establish clear standards for data collection, use, and disclosure, ensuring that personal information is protected from unauthorized access and misuse.
  • Promote privacy-enhancing technologies: These technologies, such as encryption and anonymization, can help to protect individual privacy while still allowing for legitimate security measures.
  • Educate the public about privacy rights: Raising public awareness about privacy rights and how to protect them is crucial for empowering individuals to safeguard their personal information.

3. Foster Public Discourse and Debate:

  • Encourage open and informed discussions: This includes creating platforms for public debate on the ethical, legal, and social implications of government surveillance.
  • Involve diverse voices: Engage with experts from various fields, including technology, law, ethics, and civil liberties, to ensure a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the issues.
  • Promote media literacy: Encourage critical thinking about information sources and the potential biases in media coverage of surveillance issues.

5. Basis of Recommendations

These recommendations are based on the following considerations:

  • Core competencies and consistency with mission: These recommendations align with the core values of a democratic society, which include protecting individual rights, promoting transparency and accountability, and fostering public discourse.
  • External customers and internal clients: These recommendations are designed to benefit both citizens, who have a stake in protecting their privacy, and the government, which needs to maintain public trust and ensure national security.
  • Competitors: These recommendations are not directly related to competition, but they can help to create a more level playing field by ensuring that all actors operate within a framework of ethical and legal standards.
  • Attractiveness ' quantitative measures if applicable: While it is difficult to quantify the benefits of enhanced privacy protections and transparency, these measures can contribute to a more stable and prosperous society by fostering trust and reducing social unrest.

6. Conclusion

The Snowden case highlights the complex relationship between national security and individual privacy. While the government has a legitimate interest in protecting national security, this interest must be balanced with the fundamental right to privacy. By implementing the recommendations outlined above, we can move towards a more balanced and sustainable approach to government surveillance, one that respects both security and freedom.

7. Discussion

Other alternatives not selected include:

  • Complete abolition of government surveillance programs: This option would eliminate the potential for privacy violations but could also hinder national security efforts.
  • Maintaining the status quo: This option would preserve existing surveillance programs, but it would fail to address the concerns raised by Snowden's revelations.

The recommendations presented here are based on the assumption that the government has a legitimate interest in collecting intelligence to protect national security. However, this assumption is open to debate, and there are valid arguments against the need for such extensive surveillance programs.

8. Next Steps

Implementing these recommendations requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the public. A timeline for implementation could include the following key milestones:

  • Year 1: Establish an independent oversight body and begin drafting stricter regulations for surveillance programs.
  • Year 2: Implement new regulations and increase public disclosure about surveillance activities.
  • Year 3: Promote privacy-enhancing technologies and launch public education campaigns about privacy rights.
  • Year 4: Foster public discourse and debate on surveillance issues, involving diverse voices and perspectives.

By taking these steps, we can move towards a more balanced and ethical approach to government surveillance, one that respects both security and freedom.

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Case Description

On June 5, 2013, a London newspaper reported that the United States National Security Agency (NSA) was collecting the telephone records of millions of Verizon customers in the U.S. The story was the first of many top secret revelations about the NSA's spying programs, leaked by Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor. The case examines Snowden's actions and motivations and asks students to consider the repercussions of whistleblowing/leaking on the general public, the U.S. government, the NSA and Snowden himself. Case Number 2018.0

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