John L. Young, a pioneering freedom activist who founded the online library Cryptome, has passed away at 89. Born in West Texas, Young was an architect by training and trade, but his lifelong pursuit of public-good ideals led him to create Cryptome, which aimed to expose secrets and provide transparency.
Young’s vision for an online library of official secrets gained traction in the 1990s, a time when governments and corporations were trying to control access to information. His website, Cryptome, collected and published data on freedom of expression, privacy, cryptography, and more, often at odds with government and corporate interests.
Despite facing challenges from law enforcement and big tech companies, Young remained committed to his cause. He was also an early supporter of WikiLeaks and played a key role in shaping the site’s publication policies. Cryptome later published internal emails allegedly leaked by WikiLeaks.
Young’s legacy as a champion of transparency and access to information will be remembered. His dedication to the public’s right to know has inspired countless individuals, including internet lawyers and activists who recognized the need to free up encryption from government control.
Source: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/05/memoriam-john-l-young-cryptome-co-founder