White-hat hackers explore a growing role as technology and policy domains collide

LAS VEGAS. Def Con 27, which wrapped up here Sunday, was true to its roots as a hackers’ conference replete with hands-on workshops, technical briefings and contests, but many of the 30,000 attendees also flocked to the public policy sessions and were beseeched to dive into the political domain.

“It’s a Friday night in Vegas, there are lots of fun things to do, and you chose to be here at a privacy speech,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) marveled to a...