Commerce Sec. Hearings and Encryption

[Bill Campbell]

toto at sk.sympatico.ca wrote:
> Bill Campbell wrote:
> > 
> > I have been watching the confirmation hearings for William Daley,
> > and I was amazed at the number of references in the questioning
> > to encryption. I have been watching confirmation hearings for a long
> > time and have never noticed this much attention being placed on such
> > a (formerly?) obscure topic.
> 
>   It certainly looks like someone is gearing up for a battle in regard
> to cryto.
>   I find it very interesting that there would be a grand battle over
> 'exporting' what is already freely available overseas (and always
> will be, despite the export laws).

  This "freely available overseas" concept is a bit overstated.
France and other countries are beginning to come down hard
on encryption. (Also note the post from the guy in New
Zealand on the hassles exporting from his country.) The 
US now has a "Crypto Ambassador" roaming the world,
and I *don't* think he is encouraging an open common
encryption standard.

> I suppose that a cynic might
> be led to believe that perhaps the anti-export champions' agenda
> might be to make more convenient for the average joe to just
> give in and accept weak, government approved crypto.

  Cynic or realist, you make the call. <G> The average Joe
doesn't even know *why* he needs encryption...at least
not yet.

=Bill=