Linus Torvalds, in response to a petition on Change.org to remove RdRand from /dev/random, has lambasted the petitioner by called him ignorant for not understanding the code in Linux Kernel.

Kyle Condon from UK raised a petition on Change.org to get Linus to remove RdRand from /dev/random in a bid “to improve the overall security of the linux kernel.” This petition seems to be a direct result of the recent NSA surveillance revelations where it was also believed that UK’s GCHQ was aiding the US spy agency in its activities.

In his response, Torvalds asked Condon and the supporters of the petition to gain an understanding of Linux drivers, cryptography and then “come back here and admit to the world that you were wrong.” Torvalds stressed that kernel maintainers knew what they were doing and the petitioner didn’t.

Elaborating the use of rdrand, Torvalds stated that the function was being used as just “_one_ of many inputs” to the random pool and that it was used to improve the overall randomness. Torvalds iterated that rdrand did in fact improve the overall quality of random numbers generated through /dev/random. Ending his reply with the statement “you’re ignorant.” The petition is now closed.