" that one guy" wrote:

1) I've got Daytona running on a machine right next to me. It doesn't feature any type of key escrow. Come to think of it, it doesn't support data encryption.

The version I have is build 683, which is supposed to be the next-to-last, so it's unlikely MS will suddenly start adding new stuff, especially since they're already late.

Oh please! Just how many times am I supposed to repeat my point that I make no claims that any imminent release of Chicago or Daytona or System 7.2 is likely to have SKE included? I've pointed out that the TIS algorithm is only now being coded, but that the *general field* of key escrow seems to involve some behind-the-scenes manouverings which should give us all pause. Saying that "version 683" doesn't have SKE is beside the point. The real issue is just how all the work on SKE described in the Denning conference coming up in September (the full agenda is posted in the crypto newsgroups) is to be implemented if *not* by the OS and system software vendors. The Microsoft guy who wrote the long letter to me on the various issues involved, the tradeoffs, the export issue (apparently SKE will allow some products to be exported that would otherwise be illegal to export), etc., is clearly working on this key escrow business. Only time will tell if Microsoft has ever met with NIST/NSA on software key escrow...if they have, and pressures were put on MS to comply with the new scheme, then we'll all have reason to worry. If Microsoft has never met with NIST/NSA or Denning or TIS on this matter, and was only pursuing SKE research on its own initiative, without any incentives or threats from the government, then I will withdraw my speculations and cheer Microsoft on. (The same thing applies to Novell, Apple, etc. I'm not picking on Microsoft...I've just heard more substantive comments from them than from other companies.) I once again urge Microsoft to make this situation clearer. And I don't mean with a predictable, pro forma, "We have no intentions of including software key escrow at this time." Such corporatespeak comments are useless. We need to see a public debate on software key escrow, regardless of Microsoft's involvement one way or another. And we shouldn't wait until the press conference is held to announce the program! --Tim May .......................................................................... Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@netcom.com | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero 408-688-5409 | knowledge, reputations, information markets, W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA | black markets, collapse of governments. Higher Power: 2^859433 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available. "National borders are just speed bumps on the information superhighway."