The Universe Believes in Encryption

In The Code Book, Simon Singh explains the gist of the un-decryptable algorithm: certain mathematical functions are one-way, i.e., easy to apply but almost impossible to reverse. Such functions are called Humpty Dumpty functions! A Humpty Dumpty function can be used to encrypt data in a way that is impossible to decrypt. Well, technically, Humpty Dumpty functions would be decryptable when/if quantum computers are a reality but let’s ignore that for now…

Maths. Micah Lee puts it nicely:
“Our universe is built out of mathematics. Humans have been learning, discovering, and using mathematics for thousands of years because it’s the only thing that can accurately describe what happens around us. The laws of physics are written in mathematics.”

Edward Snowden urged people to apply maths to make their online content un-decryptable by Big Brother:
“People and companies all over the world (should) come together to implement the technological solutions that can put an end to the mass surveillance programs of any government. This is the beginning of a moment where we the people begin to protect our universal human rights with the laws of nature rather than the laws of nations.”

Combine those 2 sentiments (maths is the language of the universe + maths has created un-decryptable algorithms) and Julian Assange says you could almost say that:
“The universe believes in encryption.”

Since that seems to be the general sentiment on privacy, encryption and government surveillance these days, it’s not a big surprise that the latest version of the mobile OS from both Apple and Google has this feature. Let David Meyer describe it:
“Like Apple‘s iOS 8, Android L will apparently make it impossible for the software vendor to bypass the user’s passcode to decrypt the data stored on the device – so if the cops or the feds come knocking, tough, there’s nothing Apple nor Google can do to help them.”

If the universe believes in encryption, who are Apple and Google to stand in the way?!

Comments

  1. KumarNovember 7, 2014 at 5:11 PM

    Your finish line, "If the universe believes in encryption, who are Apple and Google to stand in the way?!" has the quality of a good finish line no doubt, but if one tries to grasp what it says...don't know what to say.

    Apple and Google, I am inclined to believe, are not standing in the way of encryption, because that is what is their business. I could be wrong about this because I was born a few years before the middle of last century, a time when not many people in India were not even wearing any kind of footwear; the question of computers even turning up in their dreams was impossible! I am possibly not the right person to talk about encryption and all.

    Nevertheless, my doubt is if Apple and Google want to disallow "decryption" how would they be going against the universe, which is yet to express in clear terms (at least in your blog! The Humpty Dumpty is a good argument in my point's favor) whether it believes in decryption as well.

    Possibly the answer from you is going to be, "for the universe cryption is cryption, be it the en-type or the de-type. And Humpties and Dumpties will not be recognized until their life certificate is submitted in triplicate for its scrutiny". Fair enough an answer I suppose!

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