Great figures of the digital age
In the digital age, the dissemination of classified information has taken center stage in global
discussions. Edward Snowden and Julian Assange are two prominent figures who have played
very important roles in exposing government secrets. Both have been named as
whistleblowers by some and traitors by others, their actions have changed the way we view
the digital landscape in modern society.
Snowden became famous in 2013 when he revealed some classified documents detailing
government spying programs. This generated significant questions about the government and
the individual privacy rights. He believed that the public had a right to know about some
programs, as they altered the social contract between citizens and their government.
Snowden's revelations spurred a global debate on the ethics and legality of massive spying,
leading to policy changes and increased public awareness of privacy issues.
Julian Assange, an Australian journalist and activist, is the founder of WikiLeaks, an online
platform dedicated to publishing classified information and documents of public interest.
WikiLeaks gained fame in 2010 when it released a series of classified US military documents,
including the "Collateral Murder" video and diplomatic cables. These leaks exposed human
rights abuses, war crimes, and political maneuvering by governments around the world.
To sum up Edward Snowden and Julian Assange, as defenders and attackers for transparency,
have left a mark on the global conversation about government injustice, individual privacy, and
the responsibility of those in power. Their actions were sparking debates about the limits of
transparency and the tension between national security and individual liberties. Their legacies
will continue to shape discussions about the role of transparency in the digital age for years.