More signs that key escrow is coming

[tcmay@netcom.com (Timothy C. May)]

Things seem awfully quiet on the list the past 24 hours....

Lucky Green wrote:

> This RFP contains the final specs for a new multimedia architecture the
> cable companies intend to deploy.
...
> ".c4.11.7.1.1  Security System Objectives:
>  The Offeror shall specify [..] whether it is possible to hide information
> in the digital signature number of which the signer would be unaware, which
> could conceal information. "
> 
> Such as parts of the key?

This sounds like it's a concern about subliminal channels in the
DSS/DSA signatures, a la the concerns raised by Gus Simmons last year.
I don't know what the use would be, unless it's concern (by whom?)
that viewing preferences could be back-propagated.

> and under .c3.11.7.2    Privacy:
> " It should be possible to manage encryption keys and provide them to law
> enforcement agencies on demand."

Well, this definitely fits with other signs that the Feds have been
"jawboning" with various industry groups. Key escrow, or "GAK."

If they're putting this kind of thing into their spec plans, somebody
has "suitably incentivized" them to.

--Tim May

-- 
..........................................................................
Timothy C. May         | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,  
tcmay@netcom.com       | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
408-688-5409           | knowledge, reputations, information markets, 
W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA  | black markets, collapse of governments.
Higher Power: 2^859433 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available.
"National borders are just speed bumps on the information superhighway."