American scientists have created a system that allows you to generate truly random numbers that cannot be forged or broken. Its basis is quantum confusion combined with hash chains, and this can revolutionize the scope of digital security, electoral procedures and even fight corruption.
Random numbers generators are used in: data encryption, cybersecurity, creating honest algorithms (for example, jury selection), scientific simulations. However, most modern systems are pseudorandom: they work on algorithms that can theoretically predict or break.
Researchers have developed an open beacon. It is based on quantum confusion - a phenomenon when two particles remain related regardless of the distance between them. In this case, two photons are used, measured simultaneously in different places (at a distance of 110 meters from each other). Measurement data are recorded in a public hash chain that cannot be fake without noticing it. This provides an genuine sequence of absolutely random numbers. Within 40 days, researchers generated 7454 sequences, of which 7434 were recognized as true. This is 99.7% of purity. To intervene in this process, the attacker would have to compromise several geographically remote locations at the same time and break the hash chain, which is almost impossible.
Researchers believe that such systems can be used for: fair allocation of resources, anonymous and fair choice (for example, the selection of participants to public commissions), prevention of voting manipulations, strengthening public trust in technology.
