More a proof of the uselessness of the new encryption policy than an endorsement, I'd say. If the lobbyists like it, there must be something wrong with it? Cheers, RAH --- begin forwarded text Date: 17 Sep 1999 02:39:53 -0000 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: "Privacy Concerns" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: IP: Encryption Policy Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: "Privacy Concerns" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Status: U Privacy Concerns - http://www.angelfire.com/biz/privacyconcerns/index.html ACP Applauds Modernization of Encryption Policy WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1999--The following statement was issued today by Ed Gillespie, executive director, and Jack Quinn, counsel, Americans for Computer Privacy (ACP), in response to the Clinton Administration's announcement of new encryption export regulations: "We congratulate the Administration for providing the effective leadership this complicated issue deserves. Today's decision articulates a policy that is good for America, good for our nation's high-tech industry, and good for the tens of millions of Americans who use computers and want them to be secure. "Having worked closely for the past 18 months with the Administration and Congress to ensure that America has a clear and realistic encryption policy, ACP is particularly gratified by today's announcement. We applaud the Administration for providing U.S. manufacturers with a level playing field in the global high-tech marketplace. We also wish to pay tribute to those in Congress who tirelessly sought reforms through their support of the Security and Freedom Through Information (SAFE) Act -- particularly Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and the bi-partisan leadership of the House. We also want to recognize Senators McCain and Leahy who championed the PROTECT and E-Rights bills in the Senate. "ACP understands today's announcement to mean that all strengths and types of encryption hardware and software can be sold to individuals and businesses throughout the world, with the exception of the seven terrorist states. We understand that the Administration will replace the existing export licensing scheme with a simple technical review of products and reporting on sales where practical. Importantly, we understand that the Administration recognizes that the realities of mass market distribution mean it is impossible to report information on individual end users. "This development is the new policy America needs to maintain its technological leadership, strengthen the government's abilities to protect our critical infrastructure, and fight crime in the Information Age. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress in coming months on details and implementation of the new policy, and to do so in ways that do not jeopardize our statutory and constitutional rights to privacy." Americans for Computer Privacy (ACP) is a broad-based coalition that brings together more than 100 companies and 40 associations representing financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, high-tech and transportation, as well as law enforcement, civil-liberty, pro-family and taxpayer groups. ACP supports policies that advance the rights of American citizens to encode information without fear of government intrusion, and advocates the lifting of export restrictions on U.S.-made encryption. For more information on ACP, visit the Web site at www.computerprivacy.org --30--AR/na CONTACT: Americans for Computer Privacy Sue Richard or Kristin Litterst, 202/625-1256 Web site: http://www.computerprivacy.org ***************************************************** Like to contribute an article or comment about this one? E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***************************************************** Privacy Concerns is a free public service of D. A. H. Investigative Consultants, a Cincinnati based private investigation firm. E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or toll free, 888-249-2404. ********************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address ********************************************** <www.telepath.com/believer> ********************************************** --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert A. Hettinga <mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'