Permanent Record (autobiography)

Permanent Record is an autobiography written by Edward Snowden, published in 2019 by Metropolitan Books. The book details Snowden's life, focusing on his upbringing, his work within the United States intelligence community, and his eventual decision to leak classified information revealing global surveillance programs conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA) and other international partners.

The autobiography covers Snowden's early interest in computers and the internet, his various roles at the CIA and NSA, and his growing disillusionment with the extent and lack of oversight of these surveillance programs. It outlines his ethical considerations and the complex process leading to his decision to disclose the documents to journalists Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, and Ewen MacAskill.

Permanent Record also addresses the aftermath of the leaks, including the legal ramifications, his asylum in Russia, and his views on privacy, security, and the role of technology in society. It aims to provide Snowden's perspective on his actions and their consequences, arguing that the public has a right to know about government overreach in surveillance. The book became a New York Times bestseller and sparked renewed debate about government surveillance, civil liberties, and whistleblowing.