IP: VeriSign Gets Commerce Dept OK For Issuance Of 128-Bit IDs

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

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WSJ Interactive Edition July 14, 1997


July 14, 1997
Bye the way, note that we are PERMITTED to use it without key escrow. How
our rights have turned into being granted by the government as opposed to
our inalienable rights


Dave




 VeriSign Gets Commerce Dept OK For Issuance Of 128-Bit IDs


 AP-Dow Jones News Service


 MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- VeriSign Inc. said the Commerce Department
approved its plan to issue new global server certificates allowing
approved organizations to use 128-bit encryption abroad for Internet
commerce.


 In a press release Monday, VeriSign said it received the license after
review by and consultation of the National Security Agency and Federal
Bureau of Investigation.


 .....


 U.S. export regulations restrict the use of 128-bit encryption abroad
due to national security concerns. The highest power encryption
currently approved for export is 40-bit encryption.


 However, new regulations permit, U.S.-based companies to use 128-bit
encryption with with servers located in the U.S. Financial institutions
may use the technology both on U.S.-based and foreign-based servers.


 In both cases, the servers must be running recent versions of either
Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Internet Explorer or Netscape Communications
Corp.'s (NSCP) Communicator.


 Another feature of the new regulations permits companies to use 128-bit
encryption abroad  without having to put keys to decode messages in
escrow with authorities.


...