I haven't seen much dialogue on some key things that have popped up recently of high relevance to this list; forgive me if these are covered in threads (inappropriately named?): 1. GNN had an article in which Madsen (puzzle palace coauthor I believe) stated that the NSA was trying to restrict anonymity by working behind the scenes with Lotus, Microsoft, etc. major meat for TCM's "NSA visits" compendium assuming he's still working on it. also, it sounds like the most direct evidence that the NSA is working against anonymity in cyberspace, something that really surprises me. 2. the same article had Madsen stating that the NSA is vacuuming down Internet traffic. he gave the likely entry points that they are doing this. this is one of the first major credible insistences I've seen that the NSA is doing this. (there are of course a bazillion urban legends that the NSA does this). Madsen claimed that some private companies were getting contracts for the work. hmmmmmmm, possibility of some cyphersabotage here, like what went on with mycotronix? (sp?) 3. the absolute biggest blockbuster of them all: the NSA supposedly did a study about how crypto regulations affect US competitiveness in the international marketplace and *concluded* they were damaging it. (surprise!!) the Commerce Dept. has recommended *easing* export regulations. this is very notable for several reasons: - The NSA would probably not release the study unless they were hinting at a new policy decision. they do a bazillion studies surely but none of them see the light of the public day. why would they release *this* one? - the commerce dept is probably heavily influenced by the NSA-- i.e. I doubt that they would come out with a favorable recommendation for crypto unless the NSA approved. however, on the other hand, in the articles there was a caveat that "if the military and spy agencies allow it". not sure what was meant by that. - what I wonder is if the same NSA study was more comprehensive and tried to look at the overall implications of current or altered crypto export policy. i.e., did they try to address the question, "what would really happen to overall US situation if crypto were unregulated? would it mean better business? more or less crime?" etc. I have said this before, but everyone seems to *assume* that unrestricted crypto necessarily releases the 4 horsemen of the infocalypse, but what if an actual *study* was done, that potentially *contradicts* this idea? there are many examples of new technology being introduced that has an effect far different than that anticipated by the masses or the conventional wisdom, and often much more benign than expected. - what this all suggests to me is a possible major policy/political switch inside the NSA in which possibly someone who is more in favor of code making than code breaking is gaining the reigns. its tough to guess based on the NSA's entrails, but recent events are some pretty odiferous entrails, I'd be interested to here what others think.