The case of Edward Snowden presented in the film Snowden is an example of the USA’s authorities’ misuse of personal information. The main themes of the biographical movie entail the subjects of morality, illegal state activities, and electronic security. Edward Snowden, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, at the time of the events affiliated with the National Security Agency (NSA), is required to make a moral choice. The decision resides between preserving the government’s safety or informing citizens that the USA illegally gathers electronic data of numerous individuals. While in possession of classified knowledge about the CIA’s collection of private data, the protagonist decides to share this information with the journalists to uncover the illegitimacy of the authorities’ actions.
Overall, the film declares that personal data safety is exceptionally valuable and must be guarded by the government in order to ensure the citizens’ well-being. The movie’s argument is largely supported by theoretical findings on the topic of security. Scholars argue that the main responsibilities of a state lie in providing protection to its nation and distributing welfare. By invading personal data, the government breaches the individuals’ safety, depriving them of such protection. In addition, upholding the residents’ welfare entails careful management of private information, as psychological well-being is highly dependent on a sense of security. Given that the state acts as the primary source of protection for its citizens, their interests and personal safety should be the central concern of governmental campaigns. The government should always maintain its residents’ security, restraining from abuse of individuals’ data, thus acting in accordance with the states’ national laws and providing a stable future for both the country and its people.