‘Traitor’ edit on Snowden’s Wikipedia page linked to Senate IP address

It’s unclear which Senate office the IP address is connected to, or who wrote the “traitor” edit on the former contractor’s Wikipedia entry. An IP address is the set of numbers assigned to an electronic device, such as a computer or printer, and is often used to determine a device’s location.

On his Wikipedia page on Monday, Snowden is described as a “former intelligence analyst for the United States government who leaked details of several top-secret United States and British government mass surveillance programs to the press.”

{mosads}The former Booz Allen Hamilton contractor leaked several classified documents about National Security Agency phone and Internet surveillance programs to The Guardian and The Washington Post in June. The programs are aimed at thwarting terrorist attacks against the U.S.

The leaks about the surveillance programs have sparked international outcry and divided Washington.

Civil liberties and advocacy groups that have pressed the government for more information about its surveillance operations over the years have called Snowden a whistle-blower. Some have described his actions as heroic.

Lawmakers in Washington, particularly congressional leaders on the Intelligence committees, have painted Snowden as a villain and argued that his actions have jeopardized the country’s national security.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) said the United States should use “every legal avenue” to bring Snowden back to the United States and face his charges. Russia granted Snowden temporary asylum last week, raising tensions between the United States and Russia.

— This post was updated at 6:05 p.m.