Edward Joseph Snowden (born June 21, 1983) is a  computer professional, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, and former contractor for the US Government who presumably copied classified information from the United States National Security Agency (NSA) and United Kingdom Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) for public disclosure in 2013 without prior authorization. The information revealed numerous global surveillance programs, many run by the NSA and Five Eyes with the cooperation of telecommunication companies and European governments.