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The NSA turned its biggest spy program into a game—literally
As a wise woman said, “I try to be cynical, but you just can’t keep up”. Via the Daily Dot, der Spiegel brings us “Tales from the Land of Brothers Grimm” — the gamer version:
The NSA turned its biggest spy program into a game—literally
… According to internal NSA information, which SPIEGEL has seen, the agency’s European Cryptologic Center (ECC) is headquartered in Griesheim. A 2011 NSA report indicates that the ECC is responsible for the “largest analysis and productivity in Europe.” According to the report, results from the secret installation find their way into the President’s Daily Brief, the daily intelligence report given to US President Barack Obama, an average of twice a week….
The site in Hesse is also of interest for another reason: The controversial XKeyscore software appears to be in use there, as indicated by a 2012 internal NSA progress report. The report, with the odd title “Tales from the Land of Brothers Grimm” describes how successful the analysts have been in using the program. It is also enlightening because it shows that many NSA employees had a great deal of respect for XKeyscore. One analyst is quoted as saying that he always felt that he had one foot in prison when he was using the program, but that he began feeling more confident after going through training.….
To create additional motivation, the NSA incorporated various features from computer games into the program. For instance, analysts who were especially good at using XKeyscore could acquire “skilz” points and “unlock achievements.” The training units in Hesse were apparently successful. ECC analysts had achieved the “highest average of skilz points” compared with all other NSA departments participating in the training program….
… According to internal NSA information, which SPIEGEL has seen, the agency’s European Cryptologic Center (ECC) is headquartered in Griesheim. A 2011 NSA report indicates that the ECC is responsible for the “largest analysis and productivity in Europe.” According to the report, results from the secret installation find their way into the President’s Daily Brief, the daily intelligence report given to US President Barack Obama, an average of twice a week….
The site in Hesse is also of interest for another reason: The controversial XKeyscore software appears to be in use there, as indicated by a 2012 internal NSA progress report. The report, with the odd title “Tales from the Land of Brothers Grimm” describes how successful the analysts have been in using the program. It is also enlightening because it shows that many NSA employees had a great deal of respect for XKeyscore. One analyst is quoted as saying that he always felt that he had one foot in prison when he was using the program, but that he began feeling more confident after going through training.….
To create additional motivation, the NSA incorporated various features from computer games into the program. For instance, analysts who were especially good at using XKeyscore could acquire “skilz” points and “unlock achievements.” The training units in Hesse were apparently successful. ECC analysts had achieved the “highest average of skilz points” compared with all other NSA departments participating in the training program….
http://www.dailydot.com/news/nsa-gamified-biggest-spy-program-xkeyscore-game/
via:
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/08/15/thursday-evening-open-thread-grimm-gamerz-we-are-all-pawns/