It gets even more interesting. In addition to signing today's Executive Order on encryption, the President also designated Ambassador David L. Aaron as the new "Special Envoy for Cryptography." (Really, I'm not making this up.) According to the White House, this Special Envoy will have "responsibility to promote the growth of electronic commerce and robust, secure global communications in a manner that protects the public safety and national security. . . . Ambassador Aaron will promote international cooperation, coordinate U.S. contacts with foreign governments on encryption matters and provide a focal point for identifying and resolving bilateral and multilateral encryption issues." CDT's Web site also has the text of the President's Executive Order, Presidential Memorandum on Encryption Export Policy, and letter to Congress, at http://www.cdt.org/crypto/clipper311 The White House Crypto Envoy press release should be posted there shortly. What happens next? According to the Administration, we can expect two new Rules -- one from the State Department, transferring its jurisdiction to Commerce; and one from the Commerce Department, spelling out exactly how it will approve products for export, what the requirements for approved key recovery centers and key recovery plans will look like, etc. That last rule is where the rubber really hits the road. We'll finally have a chance to talk concretely about whether the Administration's key recovery/export control policy meets the privacy needs of computer users. Hopefully there will be a comment period for concerned parties to make their views known... Alan Davidson, Staff Counsel 202.637.9800 (v) Center for Democracy and Technology 202.637.0968 (f) 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 1100 <abd@cdt.org> Washington, DC 20006 PGP key via finger