IP: New export rules -- and a Crypto Envoy

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 20:40:57 -0500
To: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
From: Alan Davidson <abd () cdt org>






Dave,


It gets even more interesting.  In addition to signing today's Executive
Order on encryption, the President also designated Ambassador David L.
Aaron as the new "Special Envoy for Cryptography."


According to the White House, this Special Envoy will have "responsibility
to promote the growth of electronic commerce and robust, secure global
communications in a manner that protects the public safety and national
security. . . . Ambassador Aaron will promote international cooperation,
coordinate U.S. contacts with foreign governments on encryption matters and
provide a focal point for identifying and resolving bilateral and
multilateral encryption issues."


CDT's Web site has the text of the President's Executive Order,
Presidential Memorandum on Encryption Export Policy, and letter to
Congress, at


        http://www.cdt.org/crypto/clipper311


The White House Crypto Envoy press release should be posted there shortly.


What happens next?  We can expect two new Rules -- one from the State
Department, transferring its jurisdiction to Commerce; and one from the
Commerce Department, spelling out exactly how it will approve products for
export, what  the requirements for approved key recovery centers and key
recovery plans will look like, etc.  That last rule is where the rubber
really hits the road.  We'll finally have a chance to talk concretely about
whether the Administration's key recovery/export control policy meets the
privacy needs of computer users.  Hopefully there will be a comment period
for concerned parties to make their views known...


Have a great weekend,


                Alan




Alan Davidson, Staff Counsel                 202.637.9800 (v)
Center for Democracy and Technology          202.637.0968 (f)
1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 1100                  <abd () cdt org>
Washington, DC 20006                         PGP key via finger