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'''Crypto-anarchism''' is an online [[philosophy]] that expounds the use of strong [[public key]] [[cryptography]] to enforce [[privacy]] and therefore individual [[freedom]]. Cryptoanarchists aim to create encrypted virtual communities where everyone is absolutely [[anonymity|anonymous]] or [[pseudonymity|pseudonymous]].
 
'''Crypto-anarchism''' is an online [[philosophy]] that expounds the use of strong [[public key]] [[cryptography]] to enforce [[privacy]] and therefore individual [[freedom]]. Cryptoanarchists aim to create encrypted virtual communities where everyone is absolutely [[anonymity|anonymous]] or [[pseudonymity|pseudonymous]].
  
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In such virtual communities the physical [[identity|identities]] of the [[pseudonym]]s are almost totally untraceable. Crypto-anarchists believe that inside their communities is the only place where they can be totally free, because in all other communities there will always be someone that will listen at what you say and know who you are. Development of methods of [[surveillance]], and in particular the spread of [[Internet]] communication opens unprecedented powers of [[computer surveillance]]. Crypto-anarchists consider the development and use of cryptography to be the main defence against this, instead of political action. Cryptoanarchists believe that privacy is to reveal one's self selectively and unless one can do that as you wish, there is no privacy. Inside the [[crypto-societies]], it is impossible to know the physical identities of whom you are talking to unless the speakers wish to reveal themselves.
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In such virtual communities the physical [[identity|identities]] of the [[pseudonym]]s are almost totally untraceable. Crypto-anarchists believe that inside their communities is the only place where they can be totally free, because in all other communities there will always be someone that will listen at what you say and know who you are. Development of methods of [[surveillance]], and in particular the spread of [[Internet]] communication opens unprecedented powers of [[computer surveillance]]. Crypto-anarchists consider the development and use of cryptography to be the main defence against this, instead of political action. Cryptoanarchists believe that privacy is to reveal one's self selectively and unless one can do that as you wish, there is no privacy. Inside the [[Crypto-society]], it is impossible to know the physical identities of whom you are talking to unless the speakers wish to reveal themselves.
  
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Untraceable, privately issued [[electronic money]] and [[anonymous internet banking]] are being developed for these virtual communities that can be used to trade anonymously. This is easiest to achieve for information services that can be provided over the internet (such as consulting, programming, etc.) Providing physical products is more difficult as the anonymity is more easily broken when crossing into the physical world. Untraceable money would make it possible to ignore some of the [[law]]s of the physical world, as the laws cannot be enforced without knowing people's physical identities. For instance, tax on income for online services provided pseudonymously can be avoided if no government knows the identity of the service provider. Of course, such freedom could be abused by criminals. But cryptoanarchists claim that those people are already communicating pretty much anonymously - the cryptosocieties will just bring the benefits such as privacy and [[freedom]] of anonymity to the ordinary people. It is even difficult to say which country's laws will be ignored, as even the location (country) of the participants is unknown. In a sense, the internet (or '[[cyberspace]]') can be regarded as an independent territory. In spite of this, is already illegal to use strong cryptography itself in some countries. To enforce a ban on the use of cryptography, however, is probably impossible, as cryptography itself can be used to hide even the existence of encrypted messages (see [[steganography]]).
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Untraceable, privately issued [[electronic money]] and [[anonymous internet banking]] are being developed for these virtual communities that can be used to trade anonymously. This is easiest to achieve for information services that can be provided over the internet (such as consulting, programming, etc.) Providing physical products is more difficult as the anonymity is more easily broken when crossing into the physical world. Untraceable money would make it possible to ignore some of the [[law]]s of the physical world, as the laws cannot be enforced without knowing people's physical identities. For instance, tax on income for online services provided pseudonymously can be avoided if no government knows the identity of the service provider. Of course, such freedom could be abused by criminals. But cryptoanarchists claim that those people are already communicating pretty much anonymously - the [[Crypto-society]] will just bring the benefits such as privacy and [[freedom]] of anonymity to the ordinary people. It is even difficult to say which country's laws will be ignored, as even the location (country) of the participants is unknown. In a sense, the internet (or '[[cyberspace]]') can be regarded as an independent territory. In spite of this, is already illegal to use strong cryptography itself in some countries. To enforce a ban on the use of cryptography, however, is probably impossible, as cryptography itself can be used to hide even the existence of encrypted messages (see [[steganography]]).
  
 
''This should not be confused with the use of the prefix 'crypto-' to indicate an ideology or system with an intentionally concealed or obfuscated "true nature". For example, some would use the term "crypto-fascist" to describe an individual or organization that holds [[fascist]] views and subscribes to fascist doctrine but tries to hide this agenda from those outside of itself.  However, Timothy C. May's 'Cyphernomicon' indicates that the term 'crypto-anarchist' was partially intended as a [[pun]] on this usage, even though he did not intend to conceal his beliefs or agenda.''
 
''This should not be confused with the use of the prefix 'crypto-' to indicate an ideology or system with an intentionally concealed or obfuscated "true nature". For example, some would use the term "crypto-fascist" to describe an individual or organization that holds [[fascist]] views and subscribes to fascist doctrine but tries to hide this agenda from those outside of itself.  However, Timothy C. May's 'Cyphernomicon' indicates that the term 'crypto-anarchist' was partially intended as a [[pun]] on this usage, even though he did not intend to conceal his beliefs or agenda.''
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===[[anarcho-capitalism|Anarcho-capitalist]] views===
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Crypto-anarchism is considered a cyberspatial realization of [[anarcho-capitalism]]<ref>Vernor Vinge, James Frankel. ''True Names: And the Opening of the Cyberspace Frontier'' (2001), Tor Books, p.44</ref> that expounds the use of strong [[public-key cryptography]] to enforce [[privacy]] and individual [[freedom (political)|freedom]]. Crypto-anarchists aim to create cryptographic [[software]] that can be used to evade prosecution and harassment by the [[state]] while sending and receiving information in computer networks. The use of such software renders the connection between the [[identity (social science)|identity]] of a certain user or organisation and their [[pseudonym]] is almost entirely unprovable unless the user reveals the connection. It is even difficult to say which country's laws would be ignored, as even the location (country) of a given user is unknown. In this sense, the encrypted anonymous networks (known as "[[cipherspace]]") are an independent, lawless territory; this does not restrict participants from voluntarily create new laws using [[smart contract]]s or [[online reputation]]-dependent systems. Cryptoanarchism is a variant of [[technocapitalism]], and is distinct from [[infoanarchism]], an umbrella term for those opposed to [[intellectual property]].
  
 
==See also==  
 
==See also==  
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* [[Anarcho-capitalism]]  
 
* [[Anarcho-capitalism]]  
 
* [[Assassination market]]  
 
* [[Assassination market]]  
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* [[Bitcoin]]
 
* [[Cipherspace]]  
 
* [[Cipherspace]]  
 
* [[Cypherpunk]]  
 
* [[Cypherpunk]]  
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* [[Libertarian socialism]]
 
* [[Libertarian socialism]]
 
* [[Secure cryptoprocessor]]  
 
* [[Secure cryptoprocessor]]  
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* [[ISXUbuntu]]
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* [[Linux]]
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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* [[I2P]]
 
* [[I2P]]
 
** [http://www.i2p.net The I2P webpage. I2P is a network like the internet, but anonymous]
 
** [http://www.i2p.net The I2P webpage. I2P is a network like the internet, but anonymous]
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==References==
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<references/>
  
 
==Credits==
 
==Credits==
 
*Original text is compilation of two texts: (1) Definition from [http://en.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia] and (2) [http://www.infoshop.org/faq/ An Anarchist FAQ].
 
*Original text is compilation of two texts: (1) Definition from [http://en.wikipedia.org/ Wikipedia] and (2) [http://www.infoshop.org/faq/ An Anarchist FAQ].
 
[[Category:Cryptography]]
 
[[Category:Cryptography]]
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[[Category:Crypto-anarchism]]
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[[fr:Anarchisme et technologie]]
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[[it:anarchismo tecnologico]]
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[[pt:Cripto-anarquismo]]

Latest revision as of 09:05, 30 December 2011

Crypto-anarchism is an online philosophy that expounds the use of strong public key cryptography to enforce privacy and therefore individual freedom. Cryptoanarchists aim to create encrypted virtual communities where everyone is absolutely anonymous or pseudonymous.

In such virtual communities the physical identities of the pseudonyms are almost totally untraceable. Crypto-anarchists believe that inside their communities is the only place where they can be totally free, because in all other communities there will always be someone that will listen at what you say and know who you are. Development of methods of surveillance, and in particular the spread of Internet communication opens unprecedented powers of computer surveillance. Crypto-anarchists consider the development and use of cryptography to be the main defence against this, instead of political action. Cryptoanarchists believe that privacy is to reveal one's self selectively and unless one can do that as you wish, there is no privacy. Inside the Crypto-society, it is impossible to know the physical identities of whom you are talking to unless the speakers wish to reveal themselves.

Untraceable, privately issued electronic money and anonymous internet banking are being developed for these virtual communities that can be used to trade anonymously. This is easiest to achieve for information services that can be provided over the internet (such as consulting, programming, etc.) Providing physical products is more difficult as the anonymity is more easily broken when crossing into the physical world. Untraceable money would make it possible to ignore some of the laws of the physical world, as the laws cannot be enforced without knowing people's physical identities. For instance, tax on income for online services provided pseudonymously can be avoided if no government knows the identity of the service provider. Of course, such freedom could be abused by criminals. But cryptoanarchists claim that those people are already communicating pretty much anonymously - the Crypto-society will just bring the benefits such as privacy and freedom of anonymity to the ordinary people. It is even difficult to say which country's laws will be ignored, as even the location (country) of the participants is unknown. In a sense, the internet (or 'cyberspace') can be regarded as an independent territory. In spite of this, is already illegal to use strong cryptography itself in some countries. To enforce a ban on the use of cryptography, however, is probably impossible, as cryptography itself can be used to hide even the existence of encrypted messages (see steganography).

This should not be confused with the use of the prefix 'crypto-' to indicate an ideology or system with an intentionally concealed or obfuscated "true nature". For example, some would use the term "crypto-fascist" to describe an individual or organization that holds fascist views and subscribes to fascist doctrine but tries to hide this agenda from those outside of itself. However, Timothy C. May's 'Cyphernomicon' indicates that the term 'crypto-anarchist' was partially intended as a pun on this usage, even though he did not intend to conceal his beliefs or agenda.

Anarcho-capitalist views[edit]

Crypto-anarchism is considered a cyberspatial realization of anarcho-capitalism[1] that expounds the use of strong public-key cryptography to enforce privacy and individual freedom. Crypto-anarchists aim to create cryptographic software that can be used to evade prosecution and harassment by the state while sending and receiving information in computer networks. The use of such software renders the connection between the identity of a certain user or organisation and their pseudonym is almost entirely unprovable unless the user reveals the connection. It is even difficult to say which country's laws would be ignored, as even the location (country) of a given user is unknown. In this sense, the encrypted anonymous networks (known as "cipherspace") are an independent, lawless territory; this does not restrict participants from voluntarily create new laws using smart contracts or online reputation-dependent systems. Cryptoanarchism is a variant of technocapitalism, and is distinct from infoanarchism, an umbrella term for those opposed to intellectual property.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Vernor Vinge, James Frankel. True Names: And the Opening of the Cyberspace Frontier (2001), Tor Books, p.44

Credits[edit]

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