PGP Creator: Bitcoin Protects Freedoms Under Autocracies

Phil Zimmermann, the creator of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), has shared his thoughts on Bitcoin, emphasizing its role in protecting personal freedoms, particularly for those living under autocratic regimes. Zimmermann, who has a long-standing collaboration with Bitcoin pioneer Hal Finney, sees Bitcoin as a significant advancement in digital money, offering a decentralized electronic money scheme that was previously unfeasible.

Zimmermann's involvement with Bitcoin began when he hired Hal Finney in 1996, long before Bitcoin's inception. Finney was a volunteer developer for PGP, partly to avoid government scrutiny. Zimmermann acknowledged that while he found Bitcoin technically intriguing, he was occupied with other projects at the time, which prevented him from being deeply involved in its early development.

Zimmermann has recently been a prominent figure at Bitcoin conferences, highlighting the positive impact of Bitcoin on individuals living under autocracies. He noted that dictators often exert control over populations by seizing their money, as seen in Singapore where the government controls pensions and can revoke them for political dissent. In such environments, Bitcoin provides a means to safeguard assets from autocratic interference. Zimmermann recounted meeting individuals in Argentina who used Bitcoin to protect their assets from government overreach.

However, Zimmermann's relationship with Bitcoin is complex, much like his experience with PGP. He acknowledged that while PGP was used by terrorist organizations, it also played a crucial role in protecting lives in dangerous environments. Similarly, Bitcoin has both positive and negative societal impacts, and Zimmermann hopes to see more examples of its beneficial use. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the dual nature of such technologies and their potential to both empower and endanger.