All that this Snowman did is that he confirmed that the API's really exist and that there were requests for weakening of the security protocols.
All in all, direct data access thru API's isn't a bad thing in general because it provides a fast response option but also we should have in mind the human factor error option and the misuse of the API's for the sake of personal interest and that should really make any citizen worried.
Did he endangered the security of the USA ? No. We all had assumptions about it before but they weren't yet confirmed.
Did the weakening of the security protocols endangered the USA/World economy and the security of the USA/World citizens? Absolutely YES. Anyone could reverse-engineer the weakened protocol.
All in all:
Did he did the right thing regarding his employer? No.
Did he did the right thing regarding the rest of us? Yes.
All in all, direct data access thru API's isn't a bad thing in general because it provides a fast response option but also we should have in mind the human factor error option and the misuse of the API's for the sake of personal interest and that should really make any citizen worried.
Did he endangered the security of the USA ? No. We all had assumptions about it before but they weren't yet confirmed.
Did the weakening of the security protocols endangered the USA/World economy and the security of the USA/World citizens? Absolutely YES. Anyone could reverse-engineer the weakened protocol.
All in all:
Did he did the right thing regarding his employer? No.
Did he did the right thing regarding the rest of us? Yes.