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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-20T21:57:29+00:00

I understand that private and public keys are mathematically related and data encrypted with

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I understand that private and public keys are mathematically related and data encrypted with one key can only be decrpyted with other. My question is that private key is always used to encrypt data whereas public key is always used to de-crypt it? Or can be be vice-vera and if so can you give some example application where its used in other direction (public key to encrypt and private key to decrypt)?

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  1. Editorial Team

    It’s interchangeable.

    Digital Signature -> Private key encrypts, public key decrypts so to verify sender.

    Send a message -> Public key encrypts, private decrypts and owner reads the message.

    EDIT: People seem to disagree with the “Interchangeable” definition. I need to clarify that I am talking about the mathematical perspective of the operation, not what is best in terms of security. Ofc, you should use keys for their intended operation.

    However, Henrick Hellström response in SO thread explains why they are interchangeable mathematically : Are public key and private key interchangeable?

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