Snowden and Assange: Enemies of the State on the Run
WikiLeaks Founder and Former NSA Contractor Seek Refuge
Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked highly confidential information, and Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, have both fled authorities while facing charges in the United States. Snowden is currently in Russia, while Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for several years.
Snowden's Flight to Russia
Snowden left the United States in 2013 after leaking documents that revealed the NSA's mass surveillance program. He spent time in Hong Kong and then Moscow before being granted asylum in Russia. The United States has charged him with espionage and other offenses.
Assange's Sanctuary in London
Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian embassy since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning in a sexual assault case. He also faces charges in the United States related to the release of classified information.
The Impact of Their Actions
Snowden and Assange's leaks have had a profound impact on public discourse about privacy, government surveillance, and freedom of the press. They have also raised questions about the role of the state in the digital age.
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