Just a couple of comments, one on a question and one on an answer.

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Q: Aren't LEAs worried that strong encryption will make it more difficult for them to catch crooks?

If this is for non-cypherpunks, you should say what an LEA is. They wouldn't understand your question. (Shoot, some cypherpunks are probably going, "Huh?")

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Q: What's this 'key escrow' thing?

A: Some government agencies have been trying to figure out methods which simultaneously permit US citizens to use strong cryptography against criminal eavesdroppers, while retaining the ease with which LEAs can currently tap your calls. The schemes generally involve something mistitled 'key escrow', in which copies of cryptographic keys would be stored at sites accessible by LEAs.

'key escrow' is a code word for government access to the unencrypted message. It is a persistent theme, dating back to the NSA's CCEP in about

You probably need to say what the NSA is, and certainly have to identify CCEP. Patrick _______________________________________________________________________ / These opinions are mine, and not Verity's (except by coincidence;). \ | (\ | | Patrick J. Horgan Verity Inc. \\ Have | | patrick@verity.com 1550 Plymouth Street \\ _ Sword | | Phone : (415)960-7600 Mountain View \\/ Will | | FAX : (415)960-7750 California 94303 _/\\ Travel | \___________________________________________________________\)__________/