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The ultimate physical limits of privacy

Nature volume 507, pages 443–447 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Among those who make a living from the science of secrecy, worry and paranoia are just signs of professionalism. Can we protect our secrets against those who wield superior technological powers? Can we trust those who provide us with tools for protection? Can we even trust ourselves, our own freedom of choice? Recent developments in quantum cryptography show that some of these questions can be addressed and discussed in precise and operational terms, suggesting that privacy is indeed possible under surprisingly weak assumptions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 9GG, UK,

    Artur Ekert

  2. Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore,

    Artur Ekert

  3. Institute for Theoretical Physics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland,

    Renato Renner

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  1. Artur Ekert
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Correspondence to Artur Ekert or Renato Renner.

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Ekert, A., Renner, R. The ultimate physical limits of privacy. Nature 507, 443–447 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13132

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