CROWD-SOURCED INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

WEB-BASED, CROWD-SOURCED SOCIAL MEDIA INTELLIGENCE GATHERING, 2015

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DEREK CURRY & JENNIFER GRADECKI (US)

Crowd-Sourced Intelligence Agency is an interactive artwork that allows participants to perform the role of an intelligence analyst through an online interface. By replicating some of the known data-mining processes used by intelligence agencies, participants can monitor social media and evaluate the potential threat of posts that have been algorithmically flagged as suspicious in nature.

The visitor, or volunteer analyst, can catalogue Twitter posts as threatening, non-threatening, or flagged for review by other agents, and can enter notes explaining their decision. When a post has been evaluated, all of the information is entered into a database and is open for review and comments. The Twitter user that originally posted the evaluated tweet is notified, provided with a link to the post on the Crowd-Sourced Intelligence Agency site, and is also free to comment on the decision of the analyst.

Additionally, the interface allows participants to view the Freedom of Information Act files and leaked documents that comprise the mosaic of information the project is based on, opening a small window into the secret realm of intelligence gathering.

BIO:

Derek Curry is a Ph.D. candidate in Media Studies at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Derek’s dissertation research focuses on algorithmic modes of control, particularly in electronic stock exchanges. Derek’s art practice engages questions of agency and knowledge production through a variety of mediums from video games and data analytics to participatory performance and sculptural data visualisations.

Jennifer Gradecki is also a Ph.D. candidate in Visual Studies at State University of New York at Buffalo. Jennifer’s research and practice focuses on the relationship between information and power, and aims to make specialised knowledge and technical information more accessible.

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