Cryptome

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Cryptome: a controversial online document library

Cryptome is an online library and private foundation started in June 1996 by John Young and Deborah Natsios. It collects and publishes information about freedom of expression, privacy, cryptography, dual‑use technologies, national security, intelligence, and government secrecy. The site has been influential for transparency but also highly controversial.

What it did
- Published alleged identities of people tied to intelligence agencies such as the CIA and others.
- Helped organize early support for WikiLeaks and published some of WikiLeaks’ internal emails.
- Re-released Edward Snowden’s surveillance disclosures and said in 2014 it would publish more Snowden material.

Reception and controversy
- Praised by groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation for challenging government secrecy.
- Criticized for sharing material that could endanger people or enable wrongdoing, including maps and instructions related to critical infrastructure and hacking.
- Some commentators argued Cryptome’s postings could put lives at risk, while supporters said it was a necessary safety valve for accountability.

Founders and approach
- John Young (born 1935) was a longtime activist with a healthy distrust of official power. He died on March 28, 2025, at age 89.
- Deborah Natsios is an architect and urban designer who has led architectural and public‑resource projects and co‑edited Cryptome. She also runs Cartome, a project documenting sensitive areas.
- Cryptome has described its work as not providing context or verification for documents and has warned that it cannot guarantee the anonymity of sources. It states that documents are removed only by direct court order, though removals have occurred.

Relationship with WikiLeaks
- Young joined WikiLeaks’ advisory board in 2006 and helped register its domain, but left early 2007 due to concerns about finances and secrecy.
- Over the years, Young offered mixed views on WikiLeaks, criticizing some practices while sometimes supporting the project.
- In 2015 WikiLeaks published a searchable archive of Cryptome. In 2020 Cryptome claimed it had published unredacted cables before WikiLeaks and said it had not been contacted by law enforcement about them.

Recent status
- Cryptome has experienced periods of closure and revival. In August 2023 it announced a pause in operations in protest of Julian Assange’s detention, but it has since returned to activity.

Awards and notable opinions
- In 2010 Cryptome received the Defensor Libertatis award for defending liberty and sharing suppressed documents.
- Critics include Steven Aftergood, who at times questioned how Cryptome handles sensitive material. Supporters include Cindy Cohn of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who called Cryptome an important safety valve. Glenn Greenwald has both praised and criticized aspects of its work.
- Some outlets have described Cryptome’s postings as dangerous or unverified, while others view them as important for government transparency.