# Does IPFS allow for encrypted blocks?

**URL:** <https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/does-ipfs-allow-for-encrypted-blocks/362>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [May 23, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/does-ipfs-allow-for-encrypted-blocks/362 "2017-05-23T00:07:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![flyingzumwalt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/discuss.ipfs.tech/flyingzumwalt/32/12_2.png) [@flyingzumwalt](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/u/flyingzumwalt)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2017, 12:08am UTC](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/does-ipfs-allow-for-encrypted-blocks/362/2 "2017-05-23T00:08:04Z")

</div>

_From @jbenet on Sat Aug 27 2016 01:40:00 GMT+0000 (UTC)_  
  
- block level encryption is planned

- ipfs nodes do not download content automatically, they have to be told to
- protocols like what you describe (automatic relays) are planned and will  
be completely opt in.

These questions have been asked before. You may find more in depth answers  
searching around.  
On Fri, Aug 26, 2016 at 21:36 cyisfor [notifications@github.com](mailto:notifications@github.com) wrote:

> I’m pretty sure IPFS doesn’t encrypt anything, but I want to make sure. An  
> IPFS hash is _just_ a content hash, right? There’s no encryption key  
> added as a suffix to the URI, or anything? I ask because it’s important to  
> know, for anyone wanting to implement a system over IPFS that in any way  
> automatically relays or replicates content from others. If IPFS URIs have  
> no spot for a decryption key, then the implementers would have to write  
> their own on top of IPFS, otherwise anyone who used their system could get  
> well… jailed, if someone ever injects illegal data into their network.
> 
> I like the idea of automatic relays, so that I can subscribe to things  
> that can download new stuff on demand, such as discussion forums. But I’m  
> pretty sure nothing like that can exist in IPFS’s current state, unless a  
> custom layer of encryption is written?
> 
> —  
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.  
> Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub  
> [Does IPFS allow for encrypted blocks? · Issue #168 · ipfs-inactive/faq · GitHub](https://github.com/ipfs/faq/issues/168), or mute the thread  
> [Sign in to GitHub · GitHub](https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAIcofvLAotgQfmyO9Rp1EXpKYxlaln5ks5qj5S6gaJpZM4JulW7)  
> .

---

_[View the full topic](https://discuss.ipfs.tech/t/does-ipfs-allow-for-encrypted-blocks/362)._