What is The Snowden Effect Series

In June 2013 former NSA contractor Edward Snowden set in motion a torrent of revelations of the NSA’s electronic surveillance capabilities and practices. Through 2013, news outlets and social media poured out wave after wave of articles detailing classified government programs with names like PRISM, MonsterMind, Bulk Collection, and Boundless Informant. The scope of the programs revealed was breathtaking. Internet companies and other world leaders publicly expressed outrage when documents showed that private communications had been compromised. This had immediate ripple effects in business, government, and our national security.

Three years later we’re gathering a slew of experts to reflect upon the effects of those revelations — the Snowden Effects.


The revelations have lead to a repositioning of global partnerships, a deeper conversation about the role of government, a thorough reexamination at our fundamental rights, liberties and principles, and a sober realization that the world may not be as safe a place as we would like it to be.


This 3-part series — presented by the Internet Education Foundation — focuses on the resultant changes put in motion by Edward Snowden’s revelations — rather than the man himself. The “Snowden Effect” series shines a light on three distinct but inter-related areas: government surveillance reform, de-cloudification and data localization, and commercial trust and transparency.

Snowden Effect  Media Partner

Vocativ joins IEF for the Snowden Effect, with livestreams, original content & the moderator of our Government Surveillance panel.. 

The Snowden Effect Series

Presented by the Intenet Education Foundation

What Nationality is Your Data?

The first effect will feature a fresh look at data localization, back in the news after the recent verdict in the Microsoft case.

 The Changing Landscape of Subpoenas, Transparency and Trust

This panel discussion is a look at the corporate and legal aspects of dealing with government requests for users’ Internet data, while maintaining the public’s trust through transparency and encryption.

The Future of Surveillance Laws, One Year After USA Freedom

A year after the passing of an important reform of government surveillance, the USA FREEDOM act, this congressional briefing will both take stock of the changes made so far and look to the future for next steps.

The Snowden Effect

Quotes from policy-makers and experts
"Protecting our most basic rights and protecting this country are not part of a zero-sum equation. They need not be in conflict. We can and should do both. We can give our intelligence and law enforcement agencies the tools they need to keep us safe, while at the same time placing responsible limits to protect Americans’ privacy and constitutional liberties. The USA FREEDOM Act is proof of that."
"The Snowden effect has been profound – launching a long overdue conversation about the relationship between privacy, security, and new technology. Among the many changes, the government has been forced to publicly defend its surveillance activities; companies transformed into privacy advocates; and key allies emboldened – often nonsensically – to restrict the transfer of data to the United States."
"The Snowden revelations shed light like never before on the invasive U.S. government surveillance practices that infringe upon the human rights of people around the world. There has been no better lesson on the value of transparency, accountability, and the need for the recognition of universal human rights in our digital age by governments around the world."