The Espionage Act is a United States federal law enacted in 1917, primarily aimed at prohibiting interference with military operations and supporting U.S. enemies during wartime. It criminalizes the gathering, transmitting, or losing of defense information, and it also addresses the disclosure of classified information that could harm national security. Over the years, the Espionage Act has been used in various high-profile cases, including those involving whistleblowers and journalists. It has sparked debates about the balance between national security and the public's right to know, especially in relation to the actions of individuals like Daniel Ellsberg and Edward Snowden.