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FBI Releases Its Files On DEF CON: Not Amused By Spot-the-Fed

Posted by samzenpus on from the some-games-are-better-than-others dept.

v3rgEz writes: Not surprisingly, the FBI has compiled reports on notorious hacker gathering DEF CON, now released thanks to a Freedom of Information Act request. The files detail the lack of amusement at the Spot-the-Fed game, as well as which conference tracks attract the most interest. "In a bit of FOIrony, the file contains a copy of the Spot the Fed contest rules, including the facetious aside to feds offering t-shirts in exchange for agency coffee mugs."

2 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. Spot the Fed comments in TFA were pretty tame by Registered+Coward+v2 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Looks like typical bureaucratic language. I think there is some kind of law that says all reports must be written in in passive voice and with no humor at all. I'd bet some of the Feds found Spot the Fed humorous...

    --
    I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
    1. Re:Spot the Fed comments in TFA were pretty tame by tlambert · · Score: 3, Informative

      Looks like typical bureaucratic language. I think there is some kind of law that says all reports must be written in in passive voice and with no humor at all. I'd bet some of the Feds found Spot the Fed humorous...

      Passive voice effectively disclaims responsibility, and disclaims chain of responsibility, by making a statement without anyone owning it. It's also frequently used as an argument-without-evidence technique.