Beyond Encryption: A Critical Examination of the Social and Ethical Impacts of Quantum Steganography
Kaustuv Dey, Bilal Ahmed Reshi, Vijay Kumar
Research focusing on quantum steganography (QS) is largely centered on its technical implementation as an emerging field. This emphasis on practical discussion leaves a significant gap in the literature on QS, as researchers neglect to discuss the broader societal and ethical implications of a new technology. The vast majority of technical studies often do not entertain the issue of relevant ‘dual-use’ implications of QS, or other aspects of functionality that may enable greater levels of personal privacy while also enabling covert communications that circumvent current security/monitoring mechanisms. This paper fills the gap in the literature by providing a broad evaluation of the implications to society of QS. When discussing implications, this study considers varied implications and rather than solely utilitarian or functional analysis, the paper considers various implications of the technology on individual privacy, government monitoring, digital autonomy, and access/disadvantage to information security. The principal contribution to the paper is an analysis of the causal implications. This paper also discusses the anticipated safety/risk implications to national security, intellectual property rights, and civil liberties. Also, this study discusses the governance implications created by this new technology, and provides mitigation options. By evaluating the possible implications to privacy, surveillance, autonomy and governance, the paper proposes a much needed ethical discussion prior to fabric level adoption.
Procedia Computer Science•Jan 1, 2026•0 citations