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crypto usacm study -- chairs comments
From: David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 1994 15:48:23 -0400
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 94 10:15:09 -0400 From: Steve Kent <kent () BBN COM> Subject: ACM crypto policy panel chairman's statement [See RISKS-16.19] [The following statement could have been included along with the crypto policy panel message and the USACM message in RISKS-16.19, providing an explanation of the distinction between the two messages and their origins. Steve's statement was read as part of the press conference noted in RISKS-16.19, which Steve could not attend. I have chosen to reproduce it here. PGN] Barbara Simons, chair of the USACM committee recruited me to organize this panel a little over a year ago, after the announcement of the escrowed encryption initiative. Barbara provided suggestions for candidate panel members, but allowed me complete freedom in inviting panel members. Barbara also pointed me towards Susan Landau as a candidate staff member to support the panel, and I am especially grateful for that recommendation as Susan has done a tremendous job in writing this report, from inputs provided by the panel members, from her own research, and through extensive editing sessions including all of the panel members. The panel I assembled is intentionally a mix of individuals with represent differing perspectives on the complex issues surrounding crypto policy. These individuals work for a variety of organizations, including government agencies, academia, commercial and non-profit organizations. These organizations graciously donated the participants' time so that they could participate in this activity. The panel members did not represent these organizations in the production of this report, but rather contributed as individuals. The panel members worked together in a cooperative effort to produce a consensus report. Not all panel members agree with all of the statements contained in this report and the report contains no policy recommendations, because of the diverse panel membership. The report distinguishes between facts, opinions and speculation. It provides a very balanced discussion of many of the issues that surround the debate on crypto policy, and we hope that it will serve as a foundation for further public debate on this topic. I personally became better informed about some of these issues as a result of working on this report and I suspect many of the panel members also gained personally from their participation. The statement of the USACM committee, which Barbara will read, and which is available in hardcopy form, should be viewed as independent of this report. The USACM committee reviewed this report, and suggested a variety of changes, some of which were acted upon while others were not. Both the panel and the USACM committee agree on the need for continued public debate on this topic. However, the specific recommendations of the USACM committee do not reflect the consensus views of the panel nor are they necessarily supported by the contents of this report. The press, policy makers, and the public should read the report and use it as a starting point in reaching their own conclusions about these issues.
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