The ability to protect and secure information is vital to the growth of electronic commerce and to the growth of the Internet itself.
|
|
Why Should I Care About The Crypto Debate?
The ability to protect and secure information is vital to the growth of electronic commerce and to the growth of the Internet itself. |
The Internet is an open, decentralized network that was not specifically designed with security in mind. Because communications flow through multiple networks, your communications are vulnerable to the prying eyes of hackers, foreign governments, and -- yes -- even rogue law enforcement agents.
Encryption technologies, which scramble communications so that they can only be read by their intended recipients are vitally important to protect privacy, secure commercial transactions, and prevent crime.
So Why Isn't Encryption Widely Used?
Current US policy prohibits US companies from selling strong encryption products on the world market. US companies, find it prohibitively expensive to develop two different versions of the same product, and as a result very few strong, easy to use privacy and security products are available inside the United States.
After more than 4 years of debate, the privacy and security of Internet users remain hostage to cold-war era export control regulations and risky, and efforts to compel domestic "key-recovery" systems designed to FBI specifications. Even more, despite the loud objections of privacy advocates and the computer and communications industry, the Administration remains committed to its failed "Clipper" policies.
While the legitimate needs of law enforcement and concerns over National Security are important factors which must be considered, the Administration's continued efforts to push for the world-wide adoption of "key-recovery" or "key-escrow" systems, which would provide guaranteed law enforcement access to private communications, represent a grave threat to privacy and security on the Internet.
Congress has finally gotten the message and has begun to consider legislation to prevent the government from imposing "key-recovery" or "key-escrow" systems inside the US, affirm the rights of Americans to use whatever form of encryption they choose to protect their privacy, and relax the outdated export controls. Bills are moving through the House and Senate with strong bi-partisan support.
CDT's Cryptography Policy page contains the most comprehensive, up-to-date, resource on the ongoing effort to reform US encryption policy in a way that protects privacy on the Internet. Please browse around our page, then check out these other links for more information about this important policy debate.
For more information,
write webmaster@cdt.org
