Crypto-apocalypse soon? Chinese researchers find a potential quantum attack on classical encryption

A Chinese research team led by Wang Chao reports using a D‑Wave quantum annealing system to demonstrate an attack approach against SPN‑structured block ciphers (including Present, Rectangle, and Gift-64), albeit only at 22‑bit key sizes, prompting debate about quantum threats to current encryption. The article emphasizes limited technical detail, questions about near‑term practicality, and divergent views on when quantum computing will endanger classical cryptography, alongside concerns about harvesting data today for potential future decryption.