NBC hack outed at Defcon

The organisers of the conference had received a tip-off that Michelle Madigan, associate producer of NBC Dateline, would be attending the conference undercover with a concealed camera to record hackers bragging of their exploits.

The organisers contacted her before the convention to offer her press credentials but she refused and paid for a pass as a regular attendee. The organisers then interrupted one of the keynote sessions and told attendees what was going on.

"It came to our attention that there could be people here under false identities or pretending to be something they're not," said an organiser.

"It came to our attention that a reporter might be here with a hidden pinhole camera, not as press but as a delegate recording people for a piece on hiring hackers. I'm not cool with that, especially when they turn down the opportunity to get a press badge."

As the organiser was about to show a picture of the reporter she bolted out of the convention, pursued by over 100 reporters and conference attendees. The incident was videoed and is now on YouTube here.

Madigan refused to answer questions as she walked quickly to her car and made a hurried escape.

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