A young technologist known online as “Big Balls,” who works for DOGE, has access to sensitive US government systems. But his professional and online history call into question whether he would pass the background check typically required to obtain security clearances, security experts tell WIRED.
Hey, I agree, background checks should still be done, I’m 100% on board with that. But you should probably also know that all of our national intelligence agencies actively recruit hackers, and many with checkered pasts. It used to be that big hacker events, conferences like defcon or black hat, they would have a “spot the Fed” contest, attendees would pick out the under cover federal agents in the crowd; these days the FBI gets a booth, they’re handing out business cards, they’re taking resumes.
Yes 100%. They’re not giving them the keys to the financial systems without being certain they’re not going to abuse it. But they might pay them to find exploits in it. It’s all about being assessed for the job you’re being evaluated for.