ComputerWorld June 14, 1993 Volume 27, Number 24 pages 73,74 Enterprise Networking Commentary All Eyes On Clipper by Gary H. Anthes If any conclusion can be drawn from the cacophony of conflicting views put forth at a recent public hearing on government-sponsored encryption technology, it is that the Clinton administration should slow down and take a closer look at Clipper. Clipper is the government's attempt to give law enforcers the ability to unscramble coded messages from suspected criminals while guaranteeing constitutional safeguards to legitimate users. To do that, a secret algorithm embedded in a chip will use encryption/decryption keys maintained "in escrow" by two government-approved agencies and subject to use in wiretaps only via court order. The first image brought to mind when presented with the key-escrow concept is that of a digital Big Brother, able to siphon off electronic secrets from anyone not in favor with the establishment. Stanford University Professor Martin E. Hellman says former Attorney General John Mitchell was in the habit of handing down blank but signed wiretap authorizations, 40 to 50 at a pop, rather than personally reviewing each request as required by law. "Two escrow authorities do little good if only one court order is required," Hellmman contends. The government has done little so far to put those fears to rest or to