Ideas worth spreading

Think your email's private? Think again

1,902,597 views | Andy Yen • TEDGlobal 2014

Sending an email message is like sending a postcard, says scientist Andy Yen in this thought-provoking talk: Anyone can read it. Yet encryption, the technology that protects the privacy of email communication, does exist. It's just that until now it has been difficult to install and a hassle to use. Showing a demo of an email program he designed with colleagues at CERN, Yen argues that encryption can be made simple to the point of becoming the default option, providing true email privacy to all.

Sending an email message is like sending a postcard, says scientist Andy Yen in this thought-provoking talk: Anyone can read it. Yet encryption, the technology that protects the privacy of email communication, does exist. It's just that until now it has been difficult to install and a hassle to use. Showing a demo of an email program he designed with colleagues at CERN, Yen argues that encryption can be made simple to the point of becoming the default option, providing true email privacy to all.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Andy Yen

Secure email developer

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Andy Yen is building an encrypted email program that lets everyone benefit from private communication.

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.