The culture of secrecy in the digital age: Between necessity, abuse and cybersecurity

The secrecy culture represents an institutionalised information management model that has evolved from ancient civilisations to modern digital societies. Historically, secrecy was justified by security and political interests, but often transformed into a mechanism for power concentration and restriction of democratic oversight. In the Roman Empire, information was stored in formal archives (tabularia), while the Chinese dynasties Qin and Han developed complex bureaucratic mechanisms for managing confidential data. Modern secrecy models, such as the D-Notice system in the United Kingdom, continue to institutionalise control over information. Digital transformation has expanded the concept of secrecy through algorithms and mass surveillance, enabling new mechanisms for concealing and manipulating data. Examples such as the misuse of Pegasus spyware or the widespread classification of public contracts show that technology facilitates information management and enables more subtle forms of secrecy. At the same time, whistleblowers like Edward Snowden highlight the vulnerability of digital privacy, while legal instruments such as the U.S. Freedom of Information Act and declassification initiatives promote transparency. This paper analyses the historical development of the culture of secrecy, its transformation in the digital age, and contemporary challenges in balancing legitimate security protection with the need for transparency. Special attention is given to public oversight mechanisms, including freedom of information laws, declassification processes, and the role of whistleblowers in preserving transparency as a foundation of democratic society.