I can cryptographically prove that:
- This message came from my key
- I signed this at timestamp T
- This hash matches that data
I cannot cryptographically prove that:
- I am who I claim to be
- The timestamp was not backdated
- The data represents reality
Cryptography proves consistency, not truth.
When someone says “cryptographic proof” — ask: Proof of what exactly?
Proof of key possession ≠ proof of identity Proof of signing ≠ proof of intent Proof of hash ≠ proof of correctness