The Perils of Quantum Cryptography?

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In summary, the conversation discusses a suggestion to ban quantum-based communication systems across social media platforms due to concerns about criminality and social instability. The ban is compared to the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and is seen as a potential solution to prevent widespread civil anarchy in the future. However, it is acknowledged that enforcing such a ban may be difficult and could potentially lead to the end of intelligence-gathering agencies like the NSA. The conversation also touches on the issue of government oversight of private communications and the impact of advancing technology on enforcement measures.
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Dr Wu
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A suggestion for a short story or film script: governments around the world, concerned about the rise of criminality and social instability as a result of quantum supremacy, promptly ban all quantum-based communication systems across the social media landscape: in short usher in the equivalent of the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, but for QS.

The underlying premise behind such a moratorium is that QS-based communications - viewed here as a kind of truly impenetrable Dark Web - would plunge human civilisation back to how it was before the invention of the telegraph. . . with all its implications intact. Of course, it could be argued that QS is needed precisely to protect individuals from governmental snooping.

That's not the premise here, though. Rather, it's an attempt to foresee how future developments in both AI and quantum computing could create the conditions for distilling widespread civil anarchy in the not-too-distant future. Slightly histrionic, perhaps. But this is SF, after all, and not all SF gets it wrong.

Any thoughts?
 
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It's tough to forbid a specific technology indefinitely. As technology improves and becomes easily available, it usually favors the creation and used of weapons, communication, etc over the enforcement measures.
In the case of private communications, I do not favor a government-citizen relationship where government is overseeing citizen communications.
 
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Yes, I suspect it will be impossible to enforce such a global ban given the seemingly unstoppable march of technology. If so, it must surely spell the end for intelligence-gathering agencies like the NSA, although old-fashioned bugging methods and similar forms of surveillance could still continue to exist perhaps. Strange, all the same.
 

FAQ: The Perils of Quantum Cryptography?

What is quantum cryptography?

Quantum cryptography is a method of secure communication that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to encrypt and transmit data. It relies on phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to ensure that any attempt to eavesdrop on the communication can be detected, thereby providing a theoretically unbreakable encryption method.

What are the main advantages of quantum cryptography?

The main advantages of quantum cryptography include its ability to provide unconditional security based on the laws of physics, rather than mathematical assumptions. It can detect eavesdropping in real-time, ensuring that both parties are aware of any potential interception of their communication.

What are the perils or challenges associated with quantum cryptography?

Some challenges of quantum cryptography include the need for specialized hardware, such as quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, which can be expensive and complex to implement. Additionally, environmental factors, such as distance and noise, can affect the transmission of quantum states, potentially limiting the practicality of quantum cryptography in real-world applications.

How does quantum cryptography compare to classical cryptography?

Quantum cryptography differs from classical cryptography in that it offers a higher level of security based on quantum mechanics rather than computational complexity. While classical cryptography relies on algorithms that could potentially be broken with enough computational power, quantum cryptography is secure against any computational attack, as long as the laws of quantum mechanics hold true.

Is quantum cryptography already being used in practice?

Yes, quantum cryptography is being used in practice, although its adoption is still limited. Some organizations and governments have implemented quantum key distribution systems for secure communication, particularly in sensitive fields such as finance and national security. However, widespread use is hindered by technological and infrastructural challenges that need to be addressed.

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