Re: SAFE Bill is a Good Thing--"Crypto For The Masses"

On Thu, 1 May 1997, Alan Davidson wrote:

What SAFE does legalize is strong, non-escrow encryption in the products that are most widely used, in almost all countries worldwide. Once *ordinary people* have strong crypto built in to the products they use every day, it will be much harder for governments to take it away or restrict it.

What's illegal about strong non-escrow encryption now? Why does it need to be "legalized"? And wh will it be harder to require escrow "once *ordinary people* have strong crypto"? Doesn't seem to follow necessarily, does it?

2. CDT Does Not Support The Criminal Provision in SAFE

I don't get it. CDT loudly supports the bill. The bill contains the criminal provision. I don't get it. Do you? MacN