On Thu, 1 May 1997, Alan Davidson wrote:
Contrary to reports, the SAFE bill does not say: "Use a cipher, go to prison." It does say: "Use cryptography TO COMMIT A CRIME, go to prison":
2805. Unlawful use of encryption in furtherance of a criminal act
"Any person who willfully uses encryption in furtherance of the commission of a criminal offense for which the person may be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction... [may be imprisoned or fined]"
What the bill punishes with five years in prison is the use of encryption in FURTHERANCE of a crime. I will demonstrate at the next SF Bay Area Cypherpunks meeting on Saturday May 10, 1997 the use of encryption in furtherance of a crime using only three mouse clicks and three keystrokes. No custom scripts, macros, etc. involved. In fact, I will gladly perform the demonstration on a computer provided by the audience. That's right folks! Three mouse clicks and three keystrokes will buy you *five* years in the federal penitentiary should SAFE become law as currently written. [Since this is a controlled demo, no actual crimes will be committed. Do not try this at home! You will be breaking the law.] --Lucky