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. The licensing authority will be OFTEL, the telecoms regulator. You may want to check out this link for full details http://omnisite.liberty.org.uk/cacib/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Campaign Against Censorship Tel: 0171 589 4500 of the Internet in Britain Say NO Fax: 0171 589 4522 60 Albert Court to censorship! Prince Consort Road cacib@liberty.org.uk London SW7 2BE http://www.liberty.org.uk/cacib/