>>11524
>After all, let's not forget that cryptography is a weapon.
Was a weapon, I'd like to submit. Since, as you point out: "the modern web depends on those algorithms".
In that sense, I'd compare it to, let's say submarines or the walkie-talkie. Once developed & exclusively/secretively used by mil, but now in the public domain.
Comparison might not be too accurate, but you get my drift ....

Re: cryptography, I should think the only "weapons" today would rather be unknown zero-days/flaws or new computer systems & methods that are able to crack it fast.