Jer- I'm sorry, but I feel so strongly about your message "Politics do not belong on this list" that I was compelled to reply... Where else should the poltical implications of encryption be discussed, if not amongst those who are most involved in its creation and proliferation? The political use and misuse of power is central to the issues regarding encryption, and these ramifications should be discussed as the technology is in its infancy. Encryption technology can be used as a tool to empower the individual, or it can be used as a means to lend a false security to the individual in his communications. If in fact the Clipper Chip with its easily obtainable (by government agencies) escrow keys is allowed to be implimented, we may in fact be assisting the government to effect a survelliance state of a maginitude never before seen in society. As American homes become host to "interactive" technologies, we need to realize the increased ability this brings for surveillance by both government and capitalistic enterprises. Encryption is one viable solution to re-instate the privacy equlibrium in the face of such a condition- this is where its power lies. Encryption, then, is not merely a mathematical tool, but also a sociological one; to discuss merely the technological and not the social and moral implications of this techology would be to not realize its full potential as a mediator to the coming state of "Big Brother is watching You". Politics, then, is not periferal but central to the discussion of encryption technology. Julie __________________________________________________________________________ Julie M. Albright Ph.D Student Department of Sociology University of Southern California albright@netcom.com