At 17:19 4/30/97 -0800, Tim May wrote:

(A copy of this message has also been posted to the following newsgroups: alt.cypherpunks, talk.politics.crypto, comp.org.eff.talk) CDT and other Washington insider groups are busily singing the praises of the SAFE encryption bill, despite some acknowledged "minor flaws."

Well, the flaws are not minor. The bill does not give Americans any rights they do not already have, and does not ease export of strong crypto in any meaningful way. In fact, the bill contains odd language implying it is essentially only financial software which is easier to export, and then only if the receiving country (huh?) allows it...since when is the duty of U.S. Customs to pass products for export based on whether Baluchistan, for example, wants the product?

I agree with everything you've said, here. SAFE is truly awful if it attempts to make use of encryption illegal. Prosecuting the underlying crime, if a crime was done, should be considered more than enough. The thugs are afraid of getting whacked. Jim Bell jimbell@pacifier.com