Question

Edward Snowden who leaked classified material states, "These things need to be determined by the public, not somebody who is simply hired by the government." What ethical implications do you think were going through Snowden's mind before he started his whistle blowing? From this current event, reference a concept or principle from our textbook or class discussion that relates to this scenario

Answer 1

He wanted to safeguard privacy and must have had lots of questions around it. Be felt the need for the public to know that there is some information that needs to be analysed effectively. He was not comfortable watching the important pointers of privacy, internet freedom and basic liberties of people getting destroyed. He was present there and wanted to do something about it.Snowden exposed the wrongdoings of the government and he is considered as the hero of the law breaking section by few. There were few ethical implications going through his head before he started whistleblowing. These are related to the concerns around exposing the information and the statutory requirement around it. There are obligations that need to be followed for whistleblowing and there are issues such as the breach of law which needs to be justified legally.

There are ethical implications as whistleblowing can never be ethically justified and there are issues related to confidentiality. There are also concerns related to legitimacy and confidentiality. The wider objection of law and agreements, unlawful actions must be few of the many problems that Snowden must be thinking.