John Young: The Rebel Librarian Who Turned the Internet into a Secret-Exposing Machine
John L. Young, who died at 89, was a pioneer of online transparency. He co-founded Cryptome, an online library exposing government and corporate secrets. His unwavering commitment to the public’s right to know made him an early hero of the digital age, fearlessly defying authorities and Big Tech. Cryptome continues his legacy of transparency.
Hot Take:
John L. Young wasn’t just a man with a mission; he was the original information superhero. While most people were using the internet to send emails or watch cat videos, John was busy turning the digital world into a treasure trove of government secrets. He made transparency cool before it was trendy and did it with the finesse of an architect and the boldness of a Texas cowboy. Hats off to the man who saw the internet as the world’s most powerful library card!
Key Points:
- John L. Young founded Cryptome in 1996 to expose official secrets and promote transparency.
- Cryptome was pivotal during the ‘crypto wars’ of the 1990s, advocating for free encryption.
- John was an early supporter and later critic of WikiLeaks due to its commercialization.
- Despite pressure from government agencies and Big Tech, John maintained his commitment to information freedom.
- John’s background was in architecture and he was a decorated activist and military veteran.