PDA

View Full Version : TSA paid $1.4 million for Randomizer app that chooses left or right




timosman
04-04-2016, 06:23 PM
http://www.geek.com/apps/tsa-paid-1-4-million-for-randomizer-app-that-chooses-left-or-right-1651337/



When someone starts learning how to code, one of the first things they create is a program that generates and outputs random numbers. In most cases it’s an incredibly simple program to make because your programming language of choice has a randomizing function available to use.

Keeping the above in mind, I now turn your attention to the Transport Security Administration and the Randomizer app they use every day. If you’ve traveled through US airports in recent years then you’re well aware of the TSA Pre-Check lanes. It is a faster way to get through airport security for low-risk travelers, and allows you to keep your shoes and belt on.

TSA Pre-Check is faster, but it also includes random searches and that’s where the Randomizer app comes in. The app randomly chooses whether travelers go left or right in the Pre-Check lane. That way, nobody can predict which lane each person is assigned to and therefore can’t figure out how to avoid the random checks.

Here’s the app in action:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_KmFJ2gGzw

So how much did the TSA pay to have the Randomizer iPad app developed? At least $336,413.59.

That’s $336,413.59 for an app that does nothing more than randomly select left or right a few hundred times an hour.

We know this thanks to developer Kevin Burke, who submitted a Freedom of Information Act request asking for details about the app. And if you think paying over $336,000 for an app like this is ridiculous, well, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The contract for the TSA Randomizer app was won by IBM. The total paid for the project is actually $1.4 million, but the cost is not broken down in the documents Burke received in response to his request. It could be IBM supplied all the iPads and training as well as the app itself. Even so, the cost of the project is crazy. It’s an app that is just randomly selects left or right.

I understand that software used for security checks at airports must be rigorously tested and reviewed, but I have a hard time believing such checks cost $1.4 million. In fact, I’m sure there’s many reputable developers out there who’d supply the TSA with the same app for a few thousand dollars.

presence
04-04-2016, 06:27 PM
we need more government border security that will solve this

bunklocoempire
04-04-2016, 06:38 PM
How much does the monkey tapping it cost?

I mean for the cost of some peanuts...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irYGaMG1qao

Cleaner44
04-04-2016, 08:08 PM
This is why we can't have nice things.

CPUd
04-04-2016, 08:30 PM
30 seconds and a few lines of code to generate the random numbers,

the rest of the time and money was spent to test randomness.

angelatc
04-04-2016, 08:42 PM
In fact, I’m sure there’s many reputable developers out there who’d supply the TSA with the same app for a few thousand dollars.

How about they flip a coin?

presence
04-04-2016, 09:02 PM
How about they flip a coin?

muh conspicuous state consumption!

how will we know to bow to its grandeur?

Danke
04-04-2016, 09:06 PM
I paid $.99 for the same app I use in Thailand.

dannno
04-04-2016, 09:29 PM
I paid $.99 for the same app I use in Thailand.

You would be better off using the naked body scanner.

Danke
04-04-2016, 09:35 PM
You would be better off using the naked body scanner.

Tell me more.

TheTexan
04-04-2016, 11:08 PM
They should have given the contract to me. For a modest 200k fee I could have found someone to do it for 500k.

Woulda saved them a lot of money.

Ronin Truth
04-05-2016, 08:47 AM
Can't they just flip a coin? Heads, left, tails, right? DUH?

TheTexan
04-05-2016, 10:17 AM
Can't they just flip a coin? Heads, left, tails, right? DUH?

Yes but then you couldnt analyze the data from that to ensure the coin flip was randomizing properly.

Ronin Truth
04-05-2016, 10:21 AM
Yes but then you couldnt analyze the data from that to ensure the coin flip was randomizing properly.

Is "randomizing properly" an oxymoron? If so, it gets added to the collection.

CPUd
04-05-2016, 10:43 AM
Is "randomizing properly" an oxymoron? If so, it gets added to the collection.

No.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Convergence_in_distribution_%28sum_of_uniform_rvs% 29.gif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergence_of_random_variables

William Tell
04-05-2016, 10:45 AM
TSA paid $1.4 million for Randomizer app that chooses left or right

I need one of these to help made election day choices.

luctor-et-emergo
04-05-2016, 10:53 AM
30 seconds and a few lines of code to generate the random numbers,

the rest of the time and money was spent to test randomness.

I wrote much more complicated applications for my graphical calculator back in high school when I was bored.

If only I had known. I'd be a millionaire right now. :rolleyes: I'm not a programmer but holy shit, this is something I could do.

Ronin Truth
04-05-2016, 11:04 AM
No.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Convergence_in_distribution_%28sum_of_uniform_rvs% 29.gif
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergence_of_random_variables

Is Wikipedia randomly dependable and reliable?

Zippyjuan
04-05-2016, 12:23 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1UAOv4qhII

phill4paul
04-05-2016, 12:57 PM
"Eenie-meenie-miney-moe" is beyond the scope of the mental midgits the TSA hires.

Ronin Truth
04-05-2016, 01:04 PM
"Eenie-meenie-miney-moe" is beyond the scope of the mental midgits the TSA hires.

Coin flips really should be more than good enough for government work. :p :mad:

ZENemy
04-05-2016, 03:00 PM
looks, guys....we need roads, if it requires the gov doing whatever they want, whenever they want, to whomever they want..so be it.....whats a 1 million dead Iraqis when I have ROADS?

brushfire
04-05-2016, 03:09 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irYGaMG1qao


^ 3rd party hired by FBI to crack San Bernardino i-phone.

Weston White
04-08-2016, 10:25 PM
Why would which line you are in matter? Aren't the procedures (i.e., training and policies) exactly uniform all throughout the USA?