The Snowden Effect's Impact in Norway

Uniquely, Norway was not a dedicated part of Snowden’s leaks, as “ there were no indications at that time of specific American surveillance efforts targeting Norway and Norwegian infrastructure” (Friis 2). However, while not directly impacted, the surge of public knowledge regarding surveillance and how their online data is managed, caused the Norwegian government to tighten locks on their security while also opening debates with the public about the concept.

The most active agency of theirs in this effort was the Norwegian Data Protection Authority. Who, “ From the very first breaking of the news and throughout the whole period it has been actively engaged in public debates, public information, and lobbying for a firm government response towards the US” (Friist 2). However, despite all the work internally to curb the effects of the Snowden revelations, Norway also had to debate international action. About 80% of the internet in Norway goes through Sweden, and due to the dragnet programs that gathered all internet traffic passing through the US that were revealed, Norwegian officials and citizens were concerned that Sweden could do the same (Friist 2).

Norway’s official stance relating to the Sweden post-Snowden was “Friends should not spy on each other,” harkening back to the “NSA’s surveillance of European leaders and institutions” (Friist 4). Thus, due to the debates between Norwegian and Swedish officials being spurred on by Snowden’s revelations, the debates can be called a part of the Snowden effect.

However, Norway did not make any major strides in publicity regarding domestic surveillance programs. Proposals “ to map and assess the totality of surveillance Norwegian citizens are exposed to, and evaluate if the Norwegian intelligence services have operated within the law” were made, but “parties in parliament, which generally argue that existing institutions and oversight mechanisms are satisfactory” (Friist 4).