Analyzing Public and State Reactions to Global Surveillance Disclosures: Using Ethical Frameworks to Gain Understanding

Secretive surveillance activities are carried out by government agencies in an effort to protect national security. Upon discovery, however, there can sometimes be significant ramifications on diplomatic relations, potentially impacting international cooperation and security. In the wake of the Snowden leaks, various levels of reaction have been observed from nation states and the public. This work attempts to understand the differences observed in reactions to recent intelligence leaks and explore theories around intelligence ethics. Ethical standards used by intelligence officials differ from those applied by the general public. Following the surveillance disclosures by Edward Snowden, the rhetoric among public officials was heated. Global opinions strongly view NSA surveillance activities of foreign citizens or heads of state as “unacceptable” (unless specifically targeting a terrorist). However, the magnitude of action taken by a nation-state in response to the leaks correlated with the level of public opposition to surveillance activity in that country.