At least eight security researchers or policy experts have withdrawn from an Internet security conference in protest over the conference host's alleged collaboration with the National Security Agency (NSA).
A published report last month said that RSA Security worked with the NSA under a USD 10 million contract to weaken Internet security.
The report said such a flawed algorithm in RSA's software creates "back doors" into the company's encryption products. RSA has disputed claims it introduced a flawed encryption algorithm.
The withdrawals from the highly regarded conference represent early blowback by experts who have complained that the government's surveillance efforts have, in some cases, weakened computer security, even for innocent users.
