I didn't know/understand too much about quantum computing about a year ago, and I still don't. I don't know how it works, other than what I've read about it - and even what I've read is difficult to understand given a background in binary computing. Quantum computing apparently uses things called "qubits" which, rather than being the traditional "on/off" switch found in bytes [and represented as 0's and 1's], are instead a phenomena which can represent 0, 1, and all possible values in between. That's the best I can explain it with my understanding - but the point is that since a qubit isn't limited to making a choice between 2 possibilities, it has unparalleled computing power. Now, almost every article out there is in favor of quantum computing because of fast it is and what it can do. However, I can't find too many articles discussing the ethical ramifications of the research into quantum computing.
One of the highlighted "advantages" of quantum computing is that the problem of factoring the product of two large prime numbers becomes easy. Currently, encryption on the internet is often done by multiplying two very large prime numbers together and making the numbers act as a key. Basically, anyone can see the product of those numbers, but if you have one of them, you will have access to the information. The idea that this encryption is centered around is that "factoring big numbers is hard". The reason this is is because we don't have algorithms that can do this with a mathematical "trick".
For example, if I gave you the number 15, you'd be able to tell me its factors are 3 and 5. However, if I give you the number 940843, you would have a much more difficult time telling me that it's the product of 709 and 1327. Turns out, computers have the same problem. We can't intuit a way to solve this problem without checking almost every possible value. So, when numbers get bigger than 3 digits, say, up to 20 digits per prime number, the problem becomes infeasible for computers to do - even though computers are faster than us, they're not that fast. They'll be able to do it, sure, but it could take days, months, or years, depending on the size of the number.
Now, a quantum computer isn't constrained by a binary computer's constraints - these qubits can consider all the possibilities of factoring the large number at the same time. Essentially, with these quantum computers, much of modern cryptography breaks - it becomes useless and outdated.
And this is where my ethical discussion begins - I'd like to raise the question: "How responsible is it to research quantum computers if they have the potential to destroy much of current security?"
I haven't heard or read much about people developing new, quantum-proof cryptological techniques - I'm sure they'll be around at some point, but is it really okay to have this destructive technology out there BEFORE the new system is ready? Currently, a company called D-Wave is selling quantum processors. There was a debate about whether they were legitimate, but according to academic studies, it seemed they actually showed properties of quantum physics. So, there is a company out there that actually has the capability to sell this. I don't know the price or anything about obtaining one, but if just one of these quantum computers fell into the wrong hands, it could mean tons of bank info, passwords, and generally private information gets captured by less than moral people. Basically, because the introduction of quantum computers didn't come after the defense against quantum computers, I do not think it is correct to consider our information secure - I am just surprised that there haven't been noticeable attacks yet.
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