baldr83

That... doesn't make much sense...

Haven't you ever heard of a cryptographic MAC?

By "ties" he doesn't mean "has contacts," he's referring to the fact Kaspersky has training from a KGB-backed school, worked as intelligence officer in the soviet army, used the KGB to rescue his son[1], and maintains weekly sauna trips with Russian intelligence officials[2].

[1] https://www.wired.com/2012/07/ff_kaspersky/

[2]https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-19/cybersecurity-kaspersky-has-close-ties-to-russian-spies

You might have to pretend when working at the NSA like you don't know what I'm talking about, but now that you're out, I assume you can be more honest with yourselves.

There's a respectful and level-headed way to ask this type of question. This is not that way.

edit: I was getting some downvotes, so I'll offer up a rewording (that they could actually potentially reply to):

The NSA has an impressive history of work but is often criticized for having much too broad surveillance authority. Have you ever had qualms about doing work for an organization that is large and powerful and viewed by many to infringe on privacy?

I mean, this dude does seem pretty level-headed.

Telling an interviewee they were previously pretending and not honest with themselves lacks decorum. No way someone would respond to a question like that. Regardless of the facts or situation. (btw the nsa is not a company)