U.S. Government 'Not Welcome' At DEF CON Hacker Conference

An image of the site promoting DEF CON 21, a large annual gathering of hackers in Las Vegas. The meeting's leader is asking federal workers to stay away from this year's event. Def Con

Hackers Ask Feds To Stay Away From Convention To Defuse Tension Over Snowden -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The annual Def Con hacking convention has asked the federal government to stay away this year for the first time in its 21-year history, saying Edward Snowden's revelations have made some in the community uncomfortable about having feds there.

"It would be best for everyone involved if the Feds call a 'time-out' and not attend Def Con this year," Def Con founder Jeff Moss said in an announcement posted Wednesday night on the convention's website.

An irreverent crowd of more than 15,000 hackers, researchers, corporate security experts, privacy advocates, artists and others are expected to attend the Las Vegas convention that begins August 2.

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More News On the U.S. Government Being Asked To Stay Away At This Year's Def Con Hacker Conference

Feds 'not welcome' at DEF CON hacker conference -- ZDNet
Defcon organizers ask feds to skip this year's hacking conference -- PC World
Def Con founder asks feds to skip hacker conference, citing high tensions after NSA leaks -- The Verge
NSA Fallout: No Feds At Def Con -- Information Week
DEF CON uninvites Feds after NSA PRISM backlash -- Slash Gear
Hacker convention asks U.S. government to stay away -- CBC News
DEF CON Hacking Conference Puts Feds In 'Time-Out' -- NPR
Feds asked to avoid Def Con hacker meeting -- BBC