Cryptographic Proof Is Not The Same As Truth

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