Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 15:38:10 +0100 From: Malcolm Hutty <cacib@liberty.org.uk> To: declan@well.com Subject: UK Government unveils crypto escrow legislation
The UK government has announced legislation designed to force escrow of confidentiality keys on UK netizens.
They are planning a licenced system of Certificate Authorities in an attempt to force key escrow down the throats of British computer users. This could be a model for other governments. The idea is that digital signatures get preferential legal treatment if certified by a licenced CA, but to get a licence you must escrow confidentiality keys.
So much for the notion espoused by Labor supporters, notably Philip Hallam-Baker, that the Tony Blair government would of course never support the evil policies originally floated by the Conservatives. Yeah, like George Bush wouldn't have supported Clipper had he won in '92. --Tim May Y2K: A good chance to reformat America's hard drive and empty the trash. ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, ComSec 3DES: 831-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Licensed Ontologist | black markets, collapse of governments.