An overview of Clinton Administration Encryption Policy Initiatives

1993, the Clipper Chip policy sought to achieve access through keys held by the government.

1995, the Clipper II proposal allowed export relief for commercial key escrow systems.

Summer of 1996, Clipper III sought access to keys through the dual incentives of export controls and a proposal for a new government "key management infrastructure."

November 1996, the Clipper 3.1.1 proposal continued to use export restrictions to enforce mandatory key escrow.

September 1998, the Administration announced an increased bit-length allowance and granted sectoral relief to specialized industry groups. The regulations were published in the Federal Register on December 31, 1998.

September 1999 the Administration announced a major reform of export controls, covering source code, retail products and posting on web sites. The final regulations were released January 2000.

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