This paper presents the works and life of the whistleblower named Edward Joseph Snowden, who worked for years for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) of the USA who he exposed for a large number of secret projects, hacking attacks, and surveillance and wiretapping citizens without their knowledge. He was charged with embezzlement of government property, espionage and unauthorized communication of sensitive information to an unauthorized person. On the basis of all these accusations, a criminal prosecution was initiated because of which he has been on the run from the American authorities ever since. The paper will first begin with a general account of his life before he became an employee of the CIA agency. It will explain his career as a CIA IT security worker and his responsibilities and projects in general, and how he came to know that the US was violating citizens' basic privacy rights in the first place. This work will deal with the question of why he decided to expose them and whether it is morally correct. Finally, it will look back on his escape to Russia and his contribution today and the reaction of the public. Snowden left a great impact not only on America but also on the whole world. His actions caused uneasiness in society. The public is still divided over his decision. Some consider him a traitor who threatened the American government and others a hero who was willing to risk his own life to expose the truth. He is remembered as the worlds most famous whistleblower.