Cryptography products are the locks and keys of the Information Age, enabling individuals and businesses to protect sensitive information as it is transmitted over the Internet. The ability to protect and secure information is vital to the growth of electronic commerce and to the growth of the Internet itself.
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| CDT Policy Post 2.35 - Latest Admin Crypto Policy Pushes Key Escrow. |
| Text of Vice President Gore's Press Statement |
| Statement by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) regarding the proposed policy. |
| Statement by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) regarding the proposed policy |
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"Clinton Encryption Plan Is Generating Resistance" - New York Times article [October 2, 1996] [Must be registered with NYT web site to access article] |
| "White House Releases Encryption Export Plan" - Interactive Week article [October 1, 1996] |
| "U.S. to Ease Encryption Restrictions" - Washington Post article [October 1, 1996] [no longer available] |
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| The "Clipper III" proposal |
| The "Clipper and Clipper II" |
January 9, 1997
Commerce Department Issues New Crypto Regs, Maintains Export Controls on Strong Encryption
The Administration has released regulations that continue export controls on strong encryption while shifting those controls to the Commerce Department. The new rules would permit export of moderately stronger 56-bit encryption systems -- but for the next two years only, and only by companies that make "satisfactory commitments" to develop and market "key recovery" products. The rules also provide a first look at detailed new regulations and criteria for government-approved exportable key recovery systems.
The new rules take effect immediately; however, comments on the new Commerce Department regulations may be submitted to the Department until February 13.
- Text of the rule amending the Commerce Department's Export Administration Regulations [EAR]. This rule establishes new encryption regulations under the Commerce Department.
- Text of the rule amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations [ITAR]. This rule transfers jurisdiction of most encryption products from the State Department to the Commerce Department.
December 5, 1996
Leading Software Companies Frustrated with Administration Encryption Plan
On December 2, the Business Software Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based trade organization of software manufacturers, sent a letter to Vice President Gore raising questions about the implementation of the Administration's new encryption proposal.
In the letter, BSA President Robert Holleyman warns the Vice President that unless the Administration "radically changes its approach immediately, ... the new policy is destined to fail just like its predecessor Clipper efforts."
- BSA Letter to Vice President Gore
- BSA Letter to the Interagency Working Group on Encryption, November 8
October 1, 1996
Law Enforcement Gets Keys; Internet Users Left Out in the Cold
The Clinton Administration announced its plan to ease export controls on strong encryption. Technology companies would be able to export products that use 56-bit encryption for the next two years - contingent on the companies' promise to distribute "key recovery" products after that two-year period.
