[openpgp] Re: Ideas for alternative user interface terms for OpenPGP structures

On Thu, 2026-02-26 at 14:52 +0000, Daniel Huigens wrote:
> We've used the terms "public key" and "private key" in Proton Mail since
> the beginning and haven't had complaints. We do also try to explain
> what they're used for inline, and obviously we also have support pages
> explaining what they are and so on.

It is well know that casual users are in fact confused by these terms.
Proton Mail tends to self-select more savvy users (for those that are
interested in the feature) so I would not use it as a metric to
establish whether these terms are confusing or not.

It is well-know how often users end up sending private SSH keys instead
of their public key (often sending both), because they do not fully
understand the difference, and the terms are too similar, with "key"
being the term that carries the most weight.

Having very distinct terms that make it clear that the private key is
the secret thing you should never expose while the public key
represents your identity to the world is valuable, as well is valuable
to find a set of agreed terms to avoid overcrowding of competing terms
referring to the same things.

I agree that if no consensus can be reached in recommending better
terms that  using the current terms is better than introducing
arbitrary new (and different) ones through the ecosystem.

-- 
Simo Sorce
Distinguished Engineer
RHEL Crypto Team
Red Hat, Inc

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