---- Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 10:18:33 -0500 From: Solveig Singleton <solveig@cato.org> Subject: Request for short policy papers Cato Institute's progam for information studies (that is, privacy and crypto) is interested in receiving proposals for **short** policy papers (five to thirty pages) on different aspects of the encryption debate. In particular, I am interested in detailed, well-argued but concise papers addressing the following: * The costs (narrowly conceived) of mandatory key recovery: OMB has one estimate with no particular empirical support beyond the assertions of national security folks. We are interested in cost estimates that move the debate forward in being based on something more concrete and reliable than what has been offered thus far--so, we won't need years of carefully calibrated econometric data (which just isn't there)--but we do want something more than speculation. * Also needed, a short paper illustrating the impact of the export control regime on experimental software or hardware ventures. What are the costs of the regulatory process in time and money, from the standpoint of the developer? Anecdotes welcome. * I would also like to do a paper on the uses of encryption in combatting human rights violations worldwide, again replete with examples and anecdotes... * and A short paper on the ease of evading export controls--detailing the ease with which encryption programs can be homemade, purchased from foreign sources, etc.; * and a short paper on the strength of U.S. assertions that other countries are likely to go along with U.S. attempts to foist mandatory key escrow upon everyone by international agreement. Please contact me if you are interested. Solveig Singleton (202) 789-5274 (202) 842-3490 (fax) Director of Information Studies Cato Institute 1000 Mass. Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001