IP: Crypto News Flash

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

CyberWire Dispatch // Copyright (c) 1997 // May 1997


Jacking in from the "Take My Crypto, Please" port:


Washington, DC--A new anti-crypto bill now floating around Washington 
would place restrictions on the import of strong crypto products into the 
U.S. and possibly outlaw the use of non-government approved encryption 
products.


During a morning briefing at the Capitol,  Sen. Bob Kerry 
(D-Neb.), talking about his impending new crypto bill, which he will call 
the "Secure Public Interest Act" said that the bill WILL include
IMPORT restrictions on crypto software.


Incredible.  We've heard rumblings the folks behind crypto strangling 
efforts would jump to import controls on crypto software if key escrow 
weren't widely adopted.


Restricting imports, of course, is a kind of de facto domestic 
restriction as well.  It  means that companies can't import strong 
foreign made crypto products to use in their worldwide offices, forcing 
them to use the govt. mandated weaker crypto products.


Next step:  outlawing some domestic crypto products.  


Kerry, when asked if there would be restrictions on private encryption, 
said "I don't envision that at the outset, but it might end up in the bill."


Meeks out...