Cypherpunks

Defined as a group of thinkers, programmers, and researchers dedicated to preserving individuals’ freedom of speech through action, cypherpunks believe in crypto anarchy (a term that has aspects of anonymous networks, black markets, the destruction of governments, digital cash, and information markets)—along with libertarianism. Moreover, cypherpunks write code—free to anyone worldwide—and they publish it so that their fellow cypherpunks can practice with it and improve upon it. Cypherpunks are dedicated to constructing anonymous systems. They defend their privacy with a combination of cryptography, anonymous email forwarding systems, electronic cash, and digital signatures. Popular cypherpunks include Eric Hughes (author of A Cypherpunk’s Manifesto, which calls for the protection of privacy and anonymity), Timothy May (author of The Crypto Anarchist Manifesto, describing the power of cryptography to promote anarchy), and Jim Bell (who wrote about promoting “assassination politics” using cryptography).

See Also: Bell, Jim and Assassination Politics; Cryptography or “Crypto”; Hughes, Eric, Gilmor, John, and May, Tim Team; Privacy.