a quick non-technical writeup on the Clipper chip -- corrections

Jeff Kellem composer at Beyond.Dreams.ORG
Mon Apr 26 22:35:49 PDT 1993


Here are some minor corrections to the the non-technical writeup I posted
earlier this evening.  Note, that I also already corrected the typo
regarding how the keys were constructed.

Ignore the line numbers.. they'll be incorrect, as this is part of a larger
article.

FYI...

			-jeff

Jeff Kellem
Internet: composer at Beyond.Dreams.ORG

===CUT HERE===
*** /tmp/RCSA002047	Tue Apr 27 01:29:46 1993
--- whats-out-there-1.03.text	Tue Apr 27 01:29:08 1993
***************
*** 188,203 ****
        important to the privacy of that same public.
  
      o it would seem that the Government might be granting a monopoly to
!       Mykotronx, Inc. and VLSI Technology.  It's unclear whether each
!       company makes the entire chip or just parts thereof.
  
      o the key, which allows the information encrypted with this chip to
        be decrypted, is embedded in the chip
  
        [ This means that once the key is known, the chip needs to be
! 	replaced to maintain private communications.  In other words, a new
! 	encryption device, if the key is ever divulged, which could just
! 	mean a wire-tap. ]
  
      o the 80-bit key is made from the xor of two (2) 80-bit keys, which are
        kept in databases at two different escrow agencies
--- 188,206 ----
        important to the privacy of that same public.
  
      o it would seem that the Government might be granting a monopoly to
!       Mykotronx, Inc. and VLSI Technology.  As far as I know, VLSI
!       fabricates the chip and Mykotronx programs the keys into it.
  
      o the key, which allows the information encrypted with this chip to
        be decrypted, is embedded in the chip
  
        [ This means that once the key is known, the chip needs to be
! 	replaced to maintain private communications.  This would usually
! 	mean replacing the entire device (e.g. telephone), anytime that
! 	the key was divulged, whether legally or not.  The key is also
! 	transmitted along with your encrypted data, so that law enforcement
! 	can obtain it, which would allow them to decrypt your data without
! 	your knowledge. ]
  
      o the 80-bit key is made from the xor of two (2) 80-bit keys, which are
        kept in databases at two different escrow agencies
***************
*** 223,235 ****
  for international distribution.
  
  On the other hand, there are too many things about the announcement which
! are bothersome and need to be discussed publicly.  Some of these items
! have been mentioned above.  I recommend talking with your local
! congressman, writing letters, and discussing this with friends.
  
  Both the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Computer
  Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) have made public statements
! against the announcement.  The CPSR has filed Freedom of Information Act
  (FOIA) requests regarding the plan.
  
  Online discussions of the announcement have been occurring all over the
--- 226,243 ----
  for international distribution.
  
  On the other hand, there are too many things about the announcement which
! are bothersome and need to be discussed publicly.  Some of these items have
! been mentioned above.  The Clipper Chip basically seems like it might
! provide privacy from some people, but not from the government.  I recommend
! talking with your local congressman, writing letters, and discussing this
! with friends.
  
  Both the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the Computer
  Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) have made public statements
! against the announcement.  The EFF supports the idea of reviewing
! cryptographic and privacy policies, but believes that the Clipper Chip
! announcement was premature and should be delayed until after the overall
! review and discussion.  The CPSR has filed Freedom of Information Act
  (FOIA) requests regarding the plan.
  
  Online discussions of the announcement have been occurring all over the






More information about the cypherpunks-legacy mailing list