The NSA is Reportedly Developing a Quantum Computer
Latest Edward Snowden revelation
The US National Security Agency is building a quantum computer to break the encryption that keeps messages secure, reports the Washington Post.
The NSA project came to light in documents passed to the newspaper by whistle-blower Edward Snowden.
The spying agency hopes to harness the special qualities of quantum computers to speed up its code-cracking efforts.
The NSA is believed to have spent about $80m (£49m) on the project but it has yet to produce a working machine.