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I don't see how the language barrier provides any security. If your threat model is foreign governments and you're rolling your own crypto you have to assume th

I don't see how the language barrier provides any security. If your threat model is foreign governments and you're rolling your own crypto you have to assume they have plenty of budget for translation. Technology is one of the main collection activities of any spy agency. Trust in a crypto system is established by having multiple adversarial parties use it and the system being open to attack for many years without success.

maxglute 2y ago
Western spy agencies already overwhelmed by volume of PRC cyber activity per recent headlines, meanwhile FVEY also short of Chinese specialists, and institutions not generating enough language talent. It's less budget issue as bodies issue. Multiple adversarial parties who are still likely cooperating with intelligence - MSS isn't going to get a seat at the table/behind the scenes for western crypto standards. Do we really know system hasn't been attacked without success when there's frequent PRC penetration in the news. What we do know is west/US has advtanges along the hardware/software stack, so smart for PRC to obfusgate and add complexity at points they can control. And that one of OTF's explicit mission, especially ICFP funded fellows is to undermine PRC controlled web - it would be incredibly dumb for PRC to take their advice seriously.