View source for Cryptome

{{Short description|Document archive website}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}{{Infobox website
| name = Cryptome
| logo = Cryptome logo.jpg
| url = {{official website}}
| editors = John Young<br/>Deborah Natsios
| launch_date = {{start date and age|1996|06}}
| current_status = Active
| type = [[Document archive]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
}}

'''Cryptome''' is an online library and [[Foundation (nonprofit)|501(c)(3) private foundation]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/pub78Search.do?ein1=&names=Cryptome&city=&state=All...&country=US&deductibility=all&dispatchMethod=searchCharities&submitName=Search|title=Cryptome Tax Exempt |author=Internal Revenue Service |date=October 19, 2015|author-link=Internal Revenue Service }}</ref> created in 1996 by John Young and Deborah Natsios<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailydot.com/politics/cryptome-kickstarter/ |title=Cryptome, the original WikiLeaks, launches $100,000 Kickstarter |author=Patrick Howell O'Neill |date=May 9, 2014 |publisher=[[The Daily Dot]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/cryptome-is-pushing-for-all-of-the-snowden-docs-to-be-made-public/ |title=Why All the Snowden Docs Should Be Public: An Interview with Cryptome |last=Cox |first=Joseph |date=July 6, 2014 |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]}}</ref><ref name="compromise">{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09/16/cryptome_revokes_pgp_keys_after_mysterious_compromise/ |title=Cryptome founder revokes PGP keys after weird 'compromise' |author=Alexander J Martin |work=[[The Register]] |date=September 16, 2015}}</ref><ref name="theregister.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2013/08/26/cryptome_suffers_brief_takedown_over_japanese_terror_files/|title=Cryptome suffers brief take-down over Japanese 'terror' files|website=www.theregister.com}}</ref><ref name="annoygreenwald">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-cryptome-launched-a-kickstarter-campaign-2014-5|title=A Radical Pro-Transparency Website Is Raising Money To Annoy Glenn Greenwald|first=Armin|last=Rosen|website=Business Insider}}</ref> closed in 2023 and reopened soon afterward.<ref name=":5" /> The site collected information about [[freedom of expression]], [[privacy]], [[cryptography]], [[Dual-use technology|dual-use technologies]], [[national security]], [[Intelligence assessment|intelligence]], and [[Secrecy#Government|government secrecy]].<ref name="compromise" /> 

Cryptome was known for publishing the alleged identities of people associated with the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], the [[Stasi]], and the [[Public Security Intelligence Agency|PSIA]] and British intelligence.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 13, 2012 |title=Whistleblowing Website Cryptome Hacked, Conspiracy Theories Do Not Abound |url=http://observer.com/2012/02/whistleblowing-website-cryptome-hacked-conspiracy-theories-do-not-abound/ |website=[[The New York Observer]]}}</ref><ref name="observer.com">{{cite web |date=July 12, 2011 |title=How a White House Flickr Fail Outed Bin Laden Hunter 'CIA John' |url=http://observer.com/2011/07/exclusive-bin-laden-hunter-cia-john-identified/ |website=[[The New York Observer]]}}</ref><ref name="Oxford2010">{{cite book |last=Bruce |first=Gary |title=The Firm: The Inside Story of the Stasi |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2010 |isbn=9780195392050 |page=32}}</ref><ref name="WiredPSIA" /><ref>{{cite web |author=John Ware and Alasdair Palmer |date=May 18, 2003 |title=Is he or isn't he? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1430428/Is-he-or-isnt-he.html |url-access=subscription |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref name="ObserverWikileaker">{{cite web |author=Dan Duray |date=December 8, 2010 |title=The Original Wikileaker |url=http://observer.com/2010/12/the-original-wikileaker/ |work=[[The New York Observer]]}}.</ref> Cryptome was one of the early organizers of [[WikiLeaks]] and published the alleged internal emails of the [[WikiLeaks]] organization.<ref name="wsjcryptome" /><ref name="estrangedcryptome" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine |title=Exposed: Wikileaks' secrets |language=en-GB |magazine=Wired UK |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/exposed-wikileaks-secrets |access-date=2022-03-13 |issn=1357-0978}}</ref> Cryptome republished the already public [[Global surveillance disclosures (2013–present)|surveillance disclosures]] of [[Edward Snowden]] and claimed in June 2014 that they would publish all unreleased Snowden documents later that month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vocativ.com/tech/hacking/snowden-leaks-way/|title=More Edward Snowden Leaks on the Way? New York-based site Cryptome says it will publish the remaining NSA documents that Edward Snowden swiped|work=Vocativ |date=July 2014}}</ref>

Cryptome has received praise from organizations such as the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] (EFF), but has also been the subject of criticism and controversy. [[WikiLeaks]] has accused Cryptome of forging emails<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/10/cryptome-hacked/|title=Cryptome Hacked|magazine=Wired|date=October 6, 2010|last1=Zetter|first1=Kim}}</ref> and some of Cryptome's posted documents have been called an "invitation to terrorists."<ref name="Crowley">{{cite web|url=http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=19203 |title=That's Outrageous – Let's Shut These Websites Down |first=Michael |last=Crowley |work=[[Reader's Digest]] |access-date=March 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209062949/http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=19203 |archive-date=December 9, 2006}}</ref> The website has also been criticized for posting maps and pictures of "dangerous Achilles' heel[s] in the domestic [[infrastructure]]," which ''[[The New York Times]]'' called a "tip off [to] terrorists."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/nyregion/mapping-natural-gas-lines-advise-the-public-tip-off-the-terrorists.html|title=Mapping Natural Gas Lines: Advise the Public, Tip Off the Terrorists|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 29, 2004|last1=Urbina|first1=Ian}}</ref> [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] also criticized them for posting information that [[Terrorism|terrorists]] could use to plan attacks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Web Site Raises Questions About Public Access to Sensitive Government Info |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/US/internet_sensitive_info_040812-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815034504/https://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/US/internet_sensitive_info_040812-1.html |archive-date=August 15, 2004 }}</ref> They continued to post controversial materials including guides on "how to attack [[critical infrastructure]]" in addition to other instructions for illegal [[Hacking of consumer electronics|hacking]] "for those without the patience to wait for whistleblowers".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cryptome.org/2015/10/parastoo-no-bullshit-attack.pdf|title=How To Attack Critical Infrastructure, No-Bullshit Guide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cryptome.org/2015/07/hackback.htm|title=HackBack!|website=cryptome.org}}</ref> Cryptome has also received criticism for its handling of embarrassing and [[Privacy|private information]].<ref name="annoygreenwald" /><ref name="thedailybeast.com">{{cite news|title=The Man Behind the 'Blue Ball' Emails Scandal That Snared Brett McGurk |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/14/the-man-behind-the-blue-ball-emails-scandal-that-snared-brett-mcgurk.html|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=June 14, 2012|last1=Lake|first1=Eli}}</ref>

==People==

===John Young===

John Young was born in 1935. He grew up in [[West Texas]] where his father worked in the oil field, construction and on a decommissioned Texas POW camp,<ref name="archinect1">{{cite web| url=http://archinect.com/features/article/149955321/the-whistleblower-architects-surveillance-infrastructure-and-freedom-of-information-according-to-cryptome-part-1|title=The Whistleblower Architects: surveillance, infrastructure, and freedom of information according to Cryptome (part 1)}}</ref> and Young later served in the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] in [[Germany]] (1953–1956) and earned degrees in [[philosophy]] and [[architecture]] from [[Rice University]] (1957–1963) and his [[Master of Architecture|graduate degree in architecture]] from [[Columbia University]] in 1969. A self-identified radical, he became an activist and helped create community service group Urban Deadline, where his fellow student-activists initially suspected him of being a police spy.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2013-03-09 |title=Older, quieter than WikiLeaks, Cryptome perseveres |url= https://apnews.com/general-news-9972d0583f424d5b8b2f921d5abc8ef5 |access-date= March 5, 2025 |work= [[Associated Press News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Fow20">{{cite book |last1=Fowler |first1=Andrew |url=https://www.mup.com.au/books/the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world-paperback-softback--1 |title=The Most Dangerous Man In The World: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks' Fight for Freedom |date=2020 |publisher=[[Melbourne University Press]] |isbn=978-0-522-87685-7 |edition=2nd |location=Melbourne}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Greenberg |first=Andy |title=This machine kills secrets: Julian Assange, the cypherpunks, and their fight to empower whistleblowers |title-link=This Machine Kills Secrets |date=2013 |publisher=Plume book |isbn=978-0-14-218049-5 |location=New York, [New York]}}</ref> Urban Deadline went on to receive citations from the [[Citizens Union|Citizens Union of the City of New York]] and the [[New York City Council]], and which later evolved into Cryptome. His work earned him a position on the nominating committee for the [[Chrysler Design Award|Chrysler Award for Innovation in Design]] in 1998.<ref name="projects-63-68">{{cite web|url=http://jya.com/jyapr01.htm |title=PROJECTS 1963 TO 1998 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219020715/http://jya.com/jyapr01.htm |archive-date=December 19, 2005 }}</ref><ref name="bib-awards">{{cite web|url=http://jya.com/jycv.htm |title=John Young CV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980716013503/http://jya.com/jycv.htm |archive-date=July 16, 1998 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jya.com/bib.htm|title=Bibliography and Awards|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416022246/http://jya.com/bib.htm|archive-date=April 16, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

He received citations from the [[American Society of Mechanical Engineers]], the [[American Society of Civil Engineers]] and the [[Legal Aid Society]]. In 1993, he was awarded the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.<ref name="bib-awards" /><ref name="He Digs 'Through' Gov't Muck">{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,31592,00.html |title=He Digs 'Through' Gov't Muck |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000301221111/http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0%2C1283%2C31592%2C00.html |archive-date=March 1, 2000 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="natsios-young.org">{{Cite web|url=http://natsios-young.org/|title=DEBORAH NATSIOS AND JOHN YOUNG BIBLIOGRAPHY|website=natsios-young.org}}</ref> He stated that he didn't "acknowledge the power of the law."<ref name="A Discussion With Cryptome" />

Young died on March 28, 2025, at the age of 89.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomson |first1=Iain |title=Remembering John Young, co-founder of web archive Cryptome |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/24/john_young_obituary/ |access-date=31 May 2025 |publisher=The Register}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohn |first1=Cindy |title=In Memoriam: John L. Young, Cryptome Co-Founder |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/05/memoriam-john-l-young-cryptome-co-founder |website=Electronic Frontier Foudnation |access-date=31 May 2025}}</ref>

===Deborah Natsios===

Deborah Natsios grew up in CIA [[Safe house|safe houses]] across Europe, Asia and South America reserved for covert [[CIA station chief|CIA station chiefs]].<ref name="archinect1" /><ref name=":6" /> She later received her [[Master of Architecture|graduate degree in architecture]] from [[Princeton University]]. She has taught architecture and [[urban design]] at [[Columbia University]] and [[Parsons The New School for Design]], and held seminars at the [[Pratt Institute]] and the [[University of Texas]].<ref name="sage-handbook">{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0VbEw9dfo7QC&q=deborah+natsios+professor&pg=PR13| title=The SAGE Handbook of Architectural Theory| isbn=9781412946131| last1=Greig Crysler| first1=C.| last2=Cairns| first2=Stephen| last3=Heynen| first3=Hilde| date=January 10, 2012| publisher=SAGE Publications}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.publicspace.org/library/author_details/deborah-natsios?iframe| title=Deborah Natsios| access-date=December 7, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211091648/http://www.publicspace.org/library/author_details/deborah-natsios?iframe| archive-date=February 11, 2018| url-status=dead| df=mdy-all}}</ref> She is the principal of Natsios Young Architects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicspace.org/library/author_details/deborah-natsios?iframe|title=Library|access-date=December 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211091648/http://www.publicspace.org/library/author_details/deborah-natsios?iframe|archive-date=February 11, 2018|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In addition to being co-editor for Cryptome, she is responsible for the associated project Cartome, which was founded in 2011<ref name="natsios-young-research">{{Cite web|url=https://cryptome.org/0002/natsios-young-research.pdf|title=Natsios Young Research}}</ref> and posts her original critical art and graphical images and other public resources to document sensitive areas. She additionally holds a degree in mathematics from [[Smith College]]. She has given talks at the [[USENIX Annual Technical Conference]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cartome.org/reverse-panopticon.htm |title=Reversing the Panopticon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005211004/http://cartome.org/reverse-panopticon.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> and Architectures of Fear: Terrorism and the Future of Urbanism in the West,<ref name="natsios-young-research" /> and written on topics ranging from [[architectural theory]]<ref name="sage-handbook" /> to defenses of [[Jim Bell]] and [[assassination market|assassination politics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cartome.org/homeland.htm|title=Homeland Defense and the Prosecution of Jim Bell|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209202304/http://cartome.org/homeland.htm|archive-date=February 9, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> She is a notable critic of [[Edward Snowden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.de/collection/latest/schaut-die-snowden-dokumente-am-besten-selbst-durch|title=Warum ihr selbst auf die Snowden-Dokumente zugreifen solltet|work=WIRED Germany |date=February 5, 2016}}</ref>

====Family====
Natsios is the daughter of Nicholas Natsios, who served as [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] [[station chief]] in [[Greece]] from 1948–1956, in [[Vietnam]] from 1956–1960, in [[France]] from 1960–1962, in [[South Korea]] from 1962–1965, in [[Argentina]] from 1965–1969, in the [[Netherlands]] from 1969–1972, and in [[Iran]] from 1972–1974.<ref name="secretsliescryptome">{{cite web|title= Secrets and Lies |date= August 13, 2007 |work= [[Radar Online]] |language= en |url= https://radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2007/08/cryptome_john_young_radar_anthony_haden_guest_4.php |access-date= December 29, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080324054343/https://radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2007/08/cryptome_john_young_radar_anthony_haden_guest_4.php |archive-date= March 24, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Nicholas Natsios Obituary (2004) - Lowell, MA - Lowell Sun |date= September 30, 2004 |work= [[Legacy.com]] |language= en |url= https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/lowellsun/name/nicholas-natsios-obituary?id=26937840 |access-date= December 29, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241229164217/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/lowellsun/name/nicholas-natsios-obituary?id=26937840 |archive-date= December 29, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lessflashywikileaks">{{cite web|title= Older, less flashy than WikiLeaks, Cryptome perseveres as a favored site for sharing secrets |agency= Associated Press |date= March 9, 2013 |work= [[Fox News]] |language= en |url= https://www.foxnews.com/us/older-less-flashy-than-wikileaks-cryptome-perseveres-as-a-favored-site-for-sharing-secrets/ |access-date= December 29, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241229171557/https://www.foxnews.com/us/older-less-flashy-than-wikileaks-cryptome-perseveres-as-a-favored-site-for-sharing-secrets/ |archive-date= December 29, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> While stationed in Vietnam, his deputy was [[William Colby]], the future [[Director of Central Intelligence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB284/2-CIA_AND_THE_HOUSE_OF_NGO.pdf|title=CIA and the House of Ngo, Covert Action in South Vietnam, 1954–63|publisher=National Security Archive}}</ref> His name was included in the 1996 membership directory of the [[Association of Former Intelligence Officers]], which Cryptome helped to publish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.namebase.org/cgi-bin/nb04?EA|archive-url=https://archive.today/20151018125531/http://www.namebase.org/cgi-bin/nb04?EA|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-10-18|title=Assn. Former Intelligence Officers. Membership Directory. 1996}}</ref> Cryptome acknowledged its link to Nicholas Natsios in 2000.<ref name="secretsliescryptome" />

==Policies==

Young has said of Cryptome, "We do expect to get false documents but it's not our job to sort that out."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/international/europe/security/security.pdf |title=THE INTERNET: CIRCUMVENTION OF CENSORSHIP? |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021113132630/http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/international/europe/security/security.pdf |archive-date=November 13, 2002 }}</ref> In another interview, Young promoted skepticism about all sources of information, saying: "Facts are not a trustworthy source of knowledge. Cryptome is not an authoritative source."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/09/17/an-excerpt-from-this-machine-kills-secrets-meet-the-spiritual-godfather-of-online-leaking/| title=An Excerpt From 'This Machine Kills Secrets': Meet The 'Spiritual Godfather Of Online Leaking'| website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> When asked about providing context for material, Young said, "We do not believe in 'context.' That is authoritarian nonsense. For the same reason, we do not believe in verification, authentication, background."<ref name="leakswikicryptome">{{Cite web|url=https://civic.mit.edu/2013/01/07/leakswiki-continues-and-cryptome-interview/../../../../index.html%3Fp=836.html|title=LeaksWiki Continues and Cryptome Interview – MIT Center for Civic Media}}</ref>

The front page of the Cryptome website states that "documents are removed from this site only by order served directly by a US court having jurisdiction. No court order has ever been served; any order served will be published here – or elsewhere if gagged by order."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cryptome.org/#sendto|title=Cryptome|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151111113852/http://cryptome.org/#sendto|archive-date=November 11, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> However, documents have been removed at the request of both law enforcement as well as individuals.<ref name="A Discussion With Cryptome">{{cite web |url=http://gawker.com/a-discussion-with-cryptome-514154708 |title=A Discussion With Cryptome |date=June 19, 2013 |publisher=Gawker |access-date=November 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104021545/http://gawker.com/a-discussion-with-cryptome-514154708 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="lessflashywikileaks" />

Cryptome has warned users that they do not have technical measures to protect the anonymity of their sources, saying "don’t send us stuff and think that we’ll protect you."<ref name="forbes.com">{{cite web| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/09/17/an-excerpt-from-this-machine-kills-secrets-meet-the-spiritual-godfather-of-online-leaking/2/| title=An Excerpt From 'This Machine Kills Secrets': Meet The 'Spiritual Godfather Of Online Leaking part 2'| website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>

==History==
{{Dynamic list}}
* '''1993''': Young and Natsios get on the internet.<ref name=":7" />
* '''1994''': What became Cryptome began with Young and Natsios's participation in the [[Cypherpunk]]s [[electronic mailing list]] and Urban Deadline.<ref name="secretsliescryptome" /><ref name=":7" /> Natsios called this time "seminal" and "transformative" for the internet.<ref name="domus">{{Cite web |title=Open Source Design 01: The architects of information |url=https://www.domusweb.it/en/interviews/2011/06/18/open-source-design-01-the-architects-of-information.html |website=www.domusweb.it}}</ref>
* '''1996''': Cryptome was officially created out of their architectural practice.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jya.com/nya.htm |title=Natsios Young Architects |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980716013236/http://jya.com/nya.htm |archive-date=July 16, 1998 }}</ref>
* '''1999''': In '''October''' journalist [[Declan McCullagh]] wrote about Young's perusal of the site's access logs.<ref name="He Digs 'Through' Gov't Muck" />
* '''2000''':  '''Cartome''' was founded.<ref name=natsios-young-research /> In '''July''', two FBI agents spoke with Cryptome on the phone after Cryptome published a [[Public Security Intelligence Agency]] personnel file.<ref name=":6" /> The file listed 400 names, birthdates, and titles, notably included Director General Hidenao Toyoshima. The FBI expressed concerns over the file, but admitted it was legal to publish in the United States but not Japan. After speculation that the documents may have come from someone called "Shigeo Kifuji", Cryptome identified the source as Hironari Noda.<ref name="WiredPSIA">{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2000/07/37718 |title=FBI Pressuring Spy Archivist |last=McCullagh |first=Declan |date=July 21, 2000 |publisher=Wired |access-date=December 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228072610/http://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2000/07/37718 |archive-date=December 28, 2013}}</ref>
* '''2003''': In January 2003, Cryptome received a grand jury subpoena for site access logs from Massachusetts. Cryptome responded by saying that there were no logs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cryptome Log Subpoenaed |url=https://cryptome.org/cryptome-log.htm |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=cryptome.org}}</ref> Later that year, the FBI visited Cryptome to discuss recent postings "intended to expose national security gaps."<ref name=":6" />
* '''2004''': New York City removed warning signs around [[gas main]]s after Cryptome posts pictures of them, citing security concerns.<ref name="advisetipoff">{{cite news |url=https://nytimes.com/2004/08/29/nyregion/mapping-natural-gas-lines-advise-the-public-tip-off-the-terrorists.html |title=Mapping Natural Gas Lines: Advise the Public, Tip Off the Terrorists |work=The New York Times |date=August 29, 2004 |access-date=October 3, 2015}}</ref>
* '''2006''': Cryptome became one of the early organizers of [[WikiLeaks]].<ref name="wsjcryptome">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303467004575574462119793480|title=Website for Leaked Data Shines Spotlight on WikiLeaks|first=Jeanne|last=Whalen|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=October 26, 2010|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref><ref name="estrangedcryptome">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/wikileaks-estranged-co-founder-becomes-a-critic-q-a/|title=Wikileaks' estranged co-founder becomes a critic (Q&A)|first=Declan|last=McCullagh|website=CNET}}</ref>
* '''2007''': In the early part of the year, Young and Natsios left Wikileaks.<ref name="wsjcryptome" /><ref name="estrangedcryptome" /> Cryptome published an archive of the secret, internal [[electronic mailing list]] of the Wikileaks organizers, from its inception through Young's departure from the group.<ref name="ObserverWikileaker" /> On '''April 20''' the website received notice from its hosting company, [[Verio]], that it would be evicted on '''May 4''' for unspecified breaches of their [[acceptable use policy]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/05/who-killed-cryp/ |title=Who Killed Cryptome.org? |magazine=Wired}}</ref><ref name="cryptomeveriodump">{{cite web |url=https://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9018285/Verio_dumps_controversial_Cryptome_site |title=Verio dumps controversial Cryptome site |last=Gohring |first=Nancy |date=April 30, 2007 |publisher=[[Computerworld]] |access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref> Cryptome alleged that the shutdown is a censorship attempt in response to posts about the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard's]] [[Integrated Deepwater System Program|Deepwater program]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=232691&cid=18949035|title=Cryptome to be Terminated by Verio/NTT - Slashdot|website=slashdot.org}}</ref>
* '''2010''': Cryptome's [[Earthlink]] account was compromised, leading to its website being [[Website defacement|hacked]] and Cryptome's data copied.<ref name="wiredcryptomehack">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/10/cryptome-hacked/|title=Secret-Spilling Sources at Risk Following Cryptome Breach|first=Kim|last=Zetter|magazine=Wired|date=October 6, 2010|via=www.wired.com}}</ref> In '''February''', Cryptome is briefly shut down by [[Network Solutions]] for alleged [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] violations after it posted a "Microsoft legal spy manual".<ref name="Quigley">{{Cite news |title=Site Leaks Microsoft Online Surveillance Guide, MS Demands Takedown Under Copyright Law (UPDATE 6) |url=http://www.geekosystem.com/cryptome-leaks-microsofts-online-surveillance-guide-ms-demands-takedown/ |last=Quigley |first=Robert |date=February 24, 2010 |work=Geekosystem |access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Diaz">{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5479567/the-secret-government-surveillance-document-microsoft-doesnt-want-you-to-see |title=The Secret Government Surveillance Document Microsoft Doesn't Want You To See |last=Diaz |first=Jesus |date=February 24, 2010 |publisher=[[Gizmodo]] |access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/images_blogs/threatlevel/2010/02/microsoft-online-services-global-criminal-compliance-handbook.pdf |title=Microsoft Online Services Global Criminal Compliance Handbook |date=February 24, 2010 |work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]
|access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref> Microsoft withdraws the complaint 3 days later and the website is restored.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2360694,00.asp |title=Cryptome Restored After Microsoft DMCA Takedown |date=February 25, 2010 |publisher=PCMag.com |access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref> In '''March''', [[PayPal]] stopped processing donations to Cryptome and froze the account due to "suspicious activities". The account was restored after an "investigation" by PayPal.<ref name="A Discussion With Cryptome" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1575296/now-paypal-goes-cryptome-suspends-account |title=Now PayPal Goes for Cryptome, Suspends Account |work=Fast Company |date=March 8, 2010 |access-date=May 14, 2013 |last1=Dugdale |first1=Addy }}</ref>

* '''2011''': In '''July''', Cryptome named the alleged CIA analyst who found [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="observer.com"/> On '''August 31''', Cryptome downloaded and decrypted the [[United States diplomatic cables leak|Cablegate]] files.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> On '''September 1''' Cryptome published the unredacted [[United States diplomatic cables leak]] a day before Wikileaks.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Quinn |first1=Ben |title=US has never asked WikiLeaks rival to remove leaked cables, court told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/sep/24/us-never-asked-wikileaks-rival-cryptome-remove-leaked-cables-court-told-assange |website=the Guardian |language=en |date=24 September 2020}}</ref> In '''September''', Cryptome published a list of [[Intelligence and National Security Alliance]] members, alleging that they were [[Espionage|spies]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Storm |first=Darlene |date=September 19, 2011 |title=3,000 Intelligence officials' names, emails leaked as 'INSA spies' |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2471073/3-000-intelligence-officials--names--emails-leaked-as--insa-spies-.html |website=Computerworld}}</ref>
* '''2012''': In '''February''', the Cryptome website was hacked to infect visitors with malware.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/02/breaches-galore-as-cryptome-hacked-to-infect-visitors-with-malware.ars|title=Breaches galore as Cryptome hacked to infect visitors with malware|first=Dan|last=Goodin|date=February 13, 2012|website=Ars Technica}}</ref>
* '''2013''': In '''February''', Cryptome's website, email and [[Twitter]] account were compromised, exposing whistleblowers and sources that had corresponded with Cryptome via email. Cryptome blamed hackers Ruxpin and [[Hector Monsegur|Sabu]], who was an [[Informant#Criminal informants|FBI informant]] at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2013/02/13/cryptome-site-twitter-and-email-account-hacked-again/|title=Cryptome site, Twitter and email account hacked again|date=February 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/Cryptome-Email-Website-and-Twitter-Account-Hacked-329057.shtml|title=Cryptome Email, Website and Twitter Account Hacked|first=Eduard|last=Kovacs|website=softpedia|date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> In '''June''' two US Secret Service agents visited Cryptome to request removal of a former presidential Bush family email allegedly hacked by [[Guccifer]].<ref name="A Discussion With Cryptome" /> In '''August''', a complaint about Cryptome's identification of alleged Japanese terrorists led [[Network Solutions]] to briefly shut down the site.<ref name="theregister.co.uk" /> In '''October''' Cryptome informed its users that Network Solutions had generated logs of site's visitors, and that requests to delete the logs were not being honored.<ref name="cryptomeispspying">{{Cite web|url=http://cryptome.org/2013/10/NetSol-log-file-spying.htm|title=Network Solutions Log File Spying|website=cryptome.org}}</ref> (According to Network Solutions's website, logs are deleted after thirty days and Cryptome could choose to prevent the logging.<ref name="enablelogs">{{Cite web|title=Tools and Tips Archives|url=https://www.networksolutions.com/blog/category/tools-and-tips/|website=Network Solutions Blog}}</ref>)
* '''2014''': Cryptome attempted to raise $100,000 to fund the website and its other disclosure initiatives.<ref name="annoygreenwald" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecryptosphere.com/2014/07/24/cryptome-kills-the-kickstarter-an-interview-with-john-young/|title=Cryptome Kills the Kickstarter: an interview with John Young|date=July 24, 2014}}</ref> In '''June''', Cryptome was pulled offline again when malware was found infecting visitors to the site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2014/06/25/row_after_cryptome_pulled_offline/|title=Cryptome pulled OFFLINE due to malware infection: Founder cries foul|website=www.theregister.com}}</ref> In '''July''', Cryptome said it would publish the remaining NSA documents taken by [[Edward Snowden]] in the "coming weeks".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vocativ.com/tech/hacking/snowden-leaks-way/|title=More Edward Snowden Leaks on the Way?|date=July 1, 2014|website=Vocativ}}</ref>
* '''2015''': In '''September''', Cryptome announced that their [[Key (cryptography)|encryption keys]] are [[Data breach|compromised]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/someone-stole-the-encryption-keys-of-wikileaks-precursor-cryptome/|title=Someone Stole the Encryption Keys of WikiLeaks Precursor 'Cryptome'|website=Vice.com|date=September 16, 2015 }}</ref> A few days later, Cryptome filed for incorporation in New York.{{cn|date=October 2022}} Later that month, a [[GCHQ]] document leaked by [[Edward Snowden]] revealed that the agency is monitoring visits to Cryptome.<ref>{{cite web|title=From Radio to Porn, British Spies Track Web Users' Online Identities |url=https://theintercept.com/2015/09/25/gchq-radio-porn-spies-track-web-users-online-identities/|last=Gallagher|first=Ryan|website=The Intercept|access-date=October 3, 2015|date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> In '''October''', a sold edition ([[USB stick]]) of the Cryptome archive was observed to contain web server logs, containing clues to the identities of Cryptome visitors. The logs had been mailed out to users who ordered the site's archive at least since 2007.<ref name="dailydot.com">{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2015 |title=Leak site Cryptome accidentally leaks its own visitor IP addresses |url=https://www.dailydot.com/politics/cryptome-ip-leak-john-young-michael-best/ |website=The Daily Dot |accessdate=October 11, 2015}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |title=Cryptome grudgingly admits to leak of users' ancient IP addresses |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/12/cryptome_in_data_leak_spat/ |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> Cryptome posted pictures of logs dating back to the site's creation, claiming that Cryptome is for sale. Cryptome later claimed that the sale is a parody and that "Cryptome has no logs, never has", noting that their "various ISPs have copious logs of many kinds" along with metadata and that Cryptome tracks these "to see what happens to our files".<ref name="cryptomeveriodump" />
* '''2016:''' In '''April''', Cryptome published thousands of credit-card numbers, passwords and personal information allegedly belonging to Qatar National Bank's clients.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/qatar-national-bank-probes-alleged-leak-of-clients-data-1461764072|title=Qatar National Bank Probes Alleged Leak of Clients' Data|last1=Parasie|first1=Nicolas|date=2016-04-27|last2=Fitch|first2=Asa|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=2016-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csoonline.com/article/3062472/security/examining-the-leaked-passwords-and-pins-from-qatar-national-bank.html|title=Examining the leaked passwords and PINs from Qatar National Bank|last=Ragan|first=Steve|website=CSO Online|access-date=2016-04-30|date=April 27, 2016}}</ref> In '''July''', Cryptome alleged [[LinkNYC]] was "tracking Cryptome's movements through the city" after the company responded to Cryptome's social media posts by attempting to prevent them from photographing the company's installations.
* '''2020:''' In '''September''', Cryptome testified that they published the unredacted [[United States diplomatic cables leak|cables]] before WikiLeaks, and were never contacted by law enforcement or instructed to remove them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Extradition Hearing |url=https://defendwl.couragefound.org/extradition-hearing/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=Defend WikiLeaks |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Reference Assange Extradition Hearing |url=https://cryptome.org/assange-hearing.htm |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=cryptome.org}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=US informants not harmed by leaked documents, Assange extradition hearing told |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/national/18725027.us-informants-not-harmed-leaked-documents-assange-extradition-hearing-told/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=The Northern Echo |date=September 16, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* '''2022''' In '''December''', John Young wrote to the [[U.S. Justice Department]] saying that because he published the same leaked government documents at the centre of the U.S. case against [[Julian Assange]], he should be indicted for violating the [[Espionage Act]] and a co-defendant at Assange's trial.<ref name="dn011222">{{cite web |title=Cryptome Founder Says He Should Be Prosecuted with Julian Assange for Publishing Classified Docs |url=https://www.democracynow.org/2022/12/1/headlines/cryptome_founder_says_he_should_be_prosecuted_with_julian_assange_for_publishing_classified_docs |website=Democracy Now! |access-date=3 December 2022 |language=en |date=1 December 2022}}</ref>
* '''2023''' In '''January''', Cryptome said that Twitter, Inc. suspended permanently the @Cryptome_org Twitter account, citing no reason.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mastodon.social/@Cryptome/109659473692136429|title=Twitter has permanently suspended Cryptome_org today. No specific violation provided.|date=2023-01-13|access-date=2023-01-13}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=June 2023|certain=yes}} In '''August''', Cryptome announced that the site would be closed until Julian Assange is freed.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Cryptome |url=https://cryptome.org/cryptome-closed.html |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=cryptome.org}}</ref>

=== Relationship to WikiLeaks ===
In the 1990s, John Young and [[Julian Assange]] were in regular contact on the [[Cypherpunk|Cypherpunks mailing list]].<ref name="Fow202">{{cite book |last1=Fowler |first1=Andrew |url=https://www.mup.com.au/books/the-most-dangerous-man-in-the-world-paperback-softback--1 |title=The Most Dangerous Man In The World: Julian Assange and WikiLeaks' Fight for Freedom |date=2020 |publisher=[[Melbourne University Press]] |isbn=978-0-522-87685-7 |edition=2nd |location=Melbourne}}</ref> In late 2006, John Young joined [[WikiLeaks#Advisory board|WikiLeaks' advisory board]] before its public launch. Young also acted as its public face by first registering the WikiLeaks domain. Young revealed that he was approached by Julian Assange and asked to be the public face of Wikileaks; Young agreed and his name was listed on the website's original domain registration form.<ref name="Fow202" /> 

In early 2007, Young and Natsios left Wikileaks due to concerns about the organizations' finances and fundraising, accusing it of being a "money-making operation" and "[[business intelligence]]" scheme, and expressing concern that the amount of money they sought "could not be needed so soon except for suspect purposes." On January 7 2007, he emailed the internal mailing list accusing WikiLeaks of "disinformation campaign against legitimate dissent" and "working for the enemy." 150 pages of emails were published on Cryptome, and Young publicly criticized the group for their lack of security, their showmanship, and their "dramatic, rigged, press shindigs." In 2008, Young changed his opinion of WikiLeaks and became supportive of them again, but still had reservations about their "self-promotional aspect, and its secrecy, its love of authoritativeness."<ref name="wsjcryptome" /><ref name="estrangedcryptome" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name="ObserverWikileaker" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Wikileaks are for-hire mercenaries - Cryptome |url=https://www.theregister.com/2010/12/07/cryptome_on_wikileaks/ |website=www.theregister.com}}</ref> 

In a 2010 interview with [[CNET.com]] John Young accused the organisation of a lack of transparency regarding its fundraising and financial management. He stated his belief that WikiLeaks could not guarantee whistleblowers the anonymity or confidentiality they claimed and that he "would not trust them with information if it had any value, or if it put me at risk or anyone that I cared about at risk."<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCullagh |first=Declan |date=20 July 2010 |title=Wikileaks' estranged co-founder becomes a critic (Q&A) &#124; Privacy Inc. – CNET News |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20011106-281.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130065550/http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20011106-281.html |archive-date=30 November 2010 |access-date=1 December 2010 |publisher=News.cnet.com}}</ref> Cryptome ended on bad terms with Wikileaks, with Young directly accusing them of selling classified material and calling them "a criminal organization". In a separate interview, he called Assange a [[narcissist]] and compared him to [[Henry Kissinger]]. Young also accused [[George Soros]] and the [[Koch family|Koch brothers]] of "backing Wikileaks generously".<ref name=":4" />

In October 2015, WikiLeaks made a searchable archive of Cryptome.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WikiLeaks |date=October 19, 2015 |title=ANNOUNCE: WikiLeaks Cryptome search. Search 60,824 spying related documents |url=https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/656158599832580096 |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2020, Cryptome testified that they published the unredacted diplomatic cables before WikiLeaks, and were never contacted by law enforcement or instructed to remove them.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> In December 2022, John Young wrote to the U.S. Justice Department saying that, because he published the same leaked government documents at the centre of the U.S. case against Julian Assange, he should be indicted for violating the Espionage Act and a co-defendant at Assange's trial.<ref name="dn011222"/> In August 2023, Cryptome announced that the site would be closed until Julian Assange is freed.<ref name=":5" />

==<span id="Reception"></span>Reception==
A 2004 ''[[The New York Times]]'' article assessed Cryptome with the headline, "Advise the Public, Tip Off the Terrorists" in its coverage of the site's [[pipeline transport|gas pipeline]] maps.<ref name="advisetipoff" /> ''[[Reader's Digest]]'' made an even more alarming assessment of the site in 2005, calling it an "invitation to terrorists" and alleging that Young "may well have put lives at risk".<ref name="Crowley" />

A 2007 [[Wired (website)|Wired]] article criticized Cryptome for going "overboard".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2007/05/who-killed-cryp/|title=Who Killed Cryptome.org?|publisher=Wired}}</ref> ''[[The Village Voice]]'' featured Cryptome in its 2008 ''Best of NYC'' feature, citing its hosting of "photos, facts, and figures" of the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.villagevoice.com/best-of/2008/people-and-places/best-document-freaks-6447374| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921043547/http://www.villagevoice.com/best-of/2008/people-and-places/best-document-freaks-6447374| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 21, 2015| title=John Young and Deborah Natsios|date=2008}}</ref>

WikiLeaks accused Cryptome of executing a "smear campaign" in 2010 after Cryptome posted what it said were email exchanges with WikiLeaks insiders, which WikiLeaks disputed.<ref name="wiredcryptomehack" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gawker.com/5581931/war-of-the-nerds-internet-battles-over-wikileaks |title=War of the Nerds: The Battle Over Wikileaks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084137/http://gawker.com/5581931/war-of-the-nerds-internet-battles-over-wikileaks |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/tech/exclusive-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-fights-calls-to-step-down|title=WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Fights Calls to Step Down|website=[[Fox News]]|date=March 27, 2015}}</ref>

Cryptome was awarded the ''Defensor Libertatis'' (defender of liberty) award at the 2010 [[Big Brother Awards]], for a "life in the fight against surveillance and censorship" and for providing "suppressed or otherwise censored documents to the global public". The awards committee noted that Cryptome had engaged with "every protagonist of the military-electronic monitoring complex".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bigbrotherawards.at/2010/Preistraeger#Defensor_Libertatis |title=Preistraeger |publisher=Big Brother Awards}}</ref>

In 2012, [[Steven Aftergood]], the director of the [[Federation of American Scientists]] Project on Government Secrecy, described Young and Cryptome as "fearless and contemptuous of any pretensions to authority" and "oblivious to the security concerns that are the preconditions of a working democracy. And he seems indifferent to the human costs of involuntary disclosure of personal information." Aftergood specifically criticized Cryptome's handling of the [[Brett H. McGurk#Ambassadorial Nomination|McGurk emails]], saying "it's fine to oppose McGurk or anyone else. It wasn't necessary to humiliate them".<ref name="thedailybeast.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fas.org/expert/steven-aftergood/|title=Steven Aftergood}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Cindy Cohn]], then the legal director of the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]], praised Cryptome as "a really important safety valve for the rest of us, as to what our government is up to."<ref name="lessflashywikileaks" />

In 2014, [[Glenn Greenwald]] praised and criticized Cryptome, saying "There is an obvious irony to complaining that we're profiting from our work while [Cryptome] tries to raise $100,000 by featuring our work. Even though [Cryptome] occasionally does some repellent and demented things—such as posting the home addresses of [[Laura Poitras]], [[Bart Gellman]], and myself along with maps pointing to our homes—[they also do] things that are quite productive and valuable. On the whole, I'm glad there is a Cryptome and hope they succeed in raising the money they want."<ref name="annoygreenwald" />

[[Giganews]] criticized Cryptome for posting unverified allegations which Giganews described as completely false and without evidence. Giganews went on to question Cryptome's credibility and motives, saying "Cryptome's failure to contact us to validate the allegations or respond to our concerns has lessened their credibility. It does not seem that Cryptome is in search for the truth, which leaves us to question what are their true motives."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://giganews.com/2014/09/its-a-gigahoax-giganews-is-not-an-fbi-operation/|title=It's a Gigahoax - Giganews is NOT an FBI Operation|website=www.giganews.com|date=September 16, 2014 }}</ref>

Peter Earnest, a 36-year veteran of the CIA turned executive director of the [[International Spy Museum]] and chairman of the board of directors of the [[Association for Intelligence Officers]] criticized Cryptome for publishing the names of spies, saying it does considerable damage and aids people that would do them harm.<ref name="secretsliescryptome" />

==See also==

{{Portal|Freedom of speech|Politics}}
* [[q:Cryptome|Cryptome quotes]]
* [[Cypherpunk]]s
*[[Distributed Denial of Secrets]]
* [[Espionage]]
* [[Open government]]
* [[The Black Vault]]
* [[WikiLeaks]]

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* [[iarchive:cryptome-archive|Cryptome dataset 1996-2016 - 102,000 files]] on the [[Internet Archive]]{{authority control}}

{{WikiLeaks|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Technology websites]]
[[Category:Cypherpunks]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1996]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Whistleblowing in the United States]]
[[Category:Online archives of the United States]]
[[Category:News leaks]]
[[Category:Information sensitivity]]
[[Category:Classified documents]]
[[Category:WikiLeaks]]
[[Category:Architects from New York City]]