Re: Commerce Sec. Hearings and Encryption

toto@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=

Bill Campbell wrote:
> 
> toto@sk.sympatico.ca wrote:
> > Bill Campbell wrote:
>   This "freely available overseas" concept is a bit overstated.
> France and other countries are beginning to come down hard
> on encryption.

  True. Perhaps I should have said "freely available, but it might
cost you more than you expect."
 
>   Cynic or realist, you make the call. <G> The average Joe
> doesn't even know *why* he needs encryption...at least
> not yet.

  The average joe is quickly becoming aware of the issue of data
security (and therefore being exposed to the 'concept' of 
encryption as something that will impact his life). Of course,
this is coming about as a result of commercial pressures to make
him feel safe about handing over his Visa number, etc.
  To me, this indicates that this is the opportune time to inject
a deeper level of understanding into the issue of crypto, at a
time when the average joe has his attention directed toward the
crypto arena.

Toto