From the Washington Post, Sept. 23. (please ignore typos)
_Delay Urged on Encryption Technologies_ by Elizabeth Corcoran WP Staff Writer The Office of Technology Assessment, in a report to be released today, suggests that Congress consider stopping the Clinton administration from using some the data encryption technologies that have aroused public criticism until legislators can review the policies. Industry and public policy groups have continued to critize he adminstrations plan to rely on specific technologies for encrypting phone and computer messages since it was made public in early 1993. Studies by the OTA, which reports to Congress, usually outline a spectrum of public policy recommendations. In contrast, those familiar with this report say it takes an unusually strong stand. It suggested that legislators take an active role in issues such as "key excrow" encryption, a technique that would let the government crack scrambled phone and computer messages by putting the means for unlocking such communications into the hands of a designated grou, such as a government agency. "It's essential to have an open debate before putting key escrow into place," said Joan Winston, who directed the OTA report. "Given the government's track record so far, the only place that debate can take place openly is in Congress." Ray kammer, deputy director at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, said the OTA reports fairly portrays both sides of the encryption debate and that the adminstration "expects and welcomes" additional discussions. Even so, he added, " the administration needs to move adhead with the key escrow system on a strictly voluntary basis." With recess only a few weeks away, Congress is unlikely to act on the adminsistration's encryption policies this year, sources said. Sen William V. Roth (R-Del.), who requested the OTA study, said in a prepared statement that he intends to call for hearings and offer admendments to the Computer Security Act, which comes up for review next year. --- Doug Shapter dps@kafka.atinc.com