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NSA sketches explain user data: can you do better? NSA sketches explain user data: can you do better?
(about 4 hours later)
New revelations that NSA had broken into Google and Yahoo datacenters have led to a fresh line of questioning for NSA chief Keith Alexander, but the horrifically drawn leaked document to end all horrifically drawn documents (at least, as far as we know) has appropriately riled creative internet users.  New revelations that NSA had broken into Google and Yahoo datacenters have led to a fresh line of questioning for NSA chief Keith Alexander, but it was the slide published alongside the story that caused particular fury.
The diagram sketched by an NSA staffer, on what looks like a Post-It note, shows the point at which it intercepted Google's data transters. There, they drew a smiley emoticon.
As Slate's Will Oremus wrote:
The smiley face might seem like a harmless quirk, but it’s more than that. It’s an indication that the NSA's agents did not regret having to break into major American corporations’ systems and steal their data. They relished it.
Naturally, as well as the serious howls of protest, the drawing spwaned an internet meme.
The NSA's guide to papal spyingThe NSA's guide to papal spying
A gem from Berman Center fellow Ryan Budish, and our inspiration for this post:  A gem from Berkman Center fellow Ryan Budish, and our inspiration for this post: 
Very good one by @budish: New NSA doc explains Papal spying! pic.twitter.com/Q0YdGOipTSVery good one by @budish: New NSA doc explains Papal spying! pic.twitter.com/Q0YdGOipTS
The NSA guide to Halloween The NSA guide to Halloween 
From US social news editor Katie Rogers, who is really tired of reading thinkpieces about the evils of candy corn. (By the way, it's delicious.)  This efforr it by Guardian US social news editor Katie Rogers, who is really tired of reading thinkpieces about the evils of candy corn. (By the way, it's delicious.) 
The NSA guide to the debt ceilingThe NSA guide to the debt ceiling
Courtesy of US finance and economics editor Heidi Moore, who has been waiting for the opportunity to make art out of the never-ending debt ceiling debate:  Courtesy of Guardian US finance and economics editor Heidi Moore, who has been waiting for the opportunity to make art out of the never-ending debt ceiling debate: 
The NSA guide to Santa ClausThe NSA guide to Santa Claus
From US assistant news editor Erin McCann, apparently tired of holiday story planning already.  From Guardian US assistant news editor Erin McCann, apparently tired of holiday story planning already. 
The NSA guide to Lena DunhamThe NSA guide to Lena Dunham
From US community coordinator Ruth Spencer, who didn't want to be the one to tell you this, but Girls is over. From US community coordinator Ruth Spencer, who didn't want to be the one to tell you this, but Girls is over. 
The NSA guide to romcomsThe NSA guide to romcoms
Another one from Heidi Moore, office romantic. Another one from Heidi Moore, office romantic. 
Can you do better? Here's the template. Can you do better? Here's the template. 
We'll display your best creations on The Guardian.  We'll display your best creations on the Guardian. Tweet us @GuardianUS or post a link to your creation in the comments below.
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