NSA torpedoed Internet liberty

[Commentary] Many people think of Edward Snowden as a traitor. Others see him as hero acting in the name of vigilante justice. The controversy generally swirls around the idea of patriotism: was Snowden a traitor or a misunderstood patriot? What commentators miss is the lack of patriotism demonstrated by our own National Security Agency. Ultimately, the harm the NSA has caused to US commerce and freedom of information transactions will be the most disastrous consequence of this whole affair. Snowden will have been but a bit player.

The impact of existing revelations -- nevermind those to come -- are grave. Countries across the world now have an excuse to pull back the freedom of exchange that had made the internet such a powerful tool. By ruthlessly tapping network connections, bypassing judicial process, providing zero transparency and, worst of all, hacking the internal networks of domestic internet companies like Google and Yahoo!, the United States Government gave up the moral high-ground. By doing so, we gave other developed countries an excuse to restrict the traffic and services of American businesses and users. Meanwhile, US SaaS (software as a service) companies -- previously among the most successful in the world -- find themselves under threat as international rivals race to fill the void.

In addition to help from Congress, US tech companies must carry the burden. We must secure networks, perform comprehensive audits, integrate advanced encryption regimes, and re-earn the trust of users. Importantly, we must also ensure that regulatory authorities and governments around the world understand that the internet has been a force for great social good. Our constitution serves as a reminder of the freedoms that solidified a young nation and helped us to become an influential player on the global stage; we must act now to ensure the continuance of these values despite the changing landscape of the digital age.

[Mendelsohn is co-founder of Engine, a start-up advocacy organization]