"I thought cryptography was a technique that did not require your trusting other people-that if you encrypted your files, you would have the control to make the choice as to whether you would surrender your files"

This quote by Whitfield Diffie speaks to the power of cryptography as a tool for safeguarding data. Diffie is recommending that cryptography is a technique that does not need trusting other people, as it supplies the user with the control to decide whether or not to surrender their files. This implies that the user has the power to choose who can access their information, and that they can safeguard it from unauthorized gain access to. Diffie is highlighting the value of cryptography as a tool for safeguarding information, as it allows users to preserve control over their information and who can access it. This is specifically crucial in the digital age, where data is significantly susceptible to destructive actors. Cryptography is an effective tool for protecting information, and Diffie's quote speaks to its value in maintaining control over one's information.