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- To: [email protected]
- From: Mike Godwin <mnemonic>
- Date: Thu, 6 May 1993 18:31:51 -0400
>From jberman Thu May 6 18:23:32 1993
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Date: Thu, 6 May 1993 18:23:09 -0400
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
To: eff-board, eff-staff
From: jberman (Jerry Berman)
Subject: LETTER TO PRES CRYTO
Status: OR
This is the letter to the President dated 5/6/93 on Cryptography and
Clipper Chip from the digital privacy and security working group. PLEASE
CIRCULATE BROADLY. For further information, contact [email protected]
(202-5449237)
>The President
>The White House
>Washington, D.C. 20500
>
>Dear Mr. President:
>
> On April 16 you initiated a broad industry/government review of
>privacy and cryptography policies. We applaud your efforts to develop a
>greater understanding of these complex issues. With the end of the Cold
>War and the rapid evolution of technology in the computer and
>communications industries, a comprehensive review of our communications
>security policies such as you have directed is sorely needed. As the world
>becomes linked by a myriad of interconnected digital networks, and computer
>and communications technologies converge, both government and the private
>sector need to evaluate information security and privacy issues. Of course,
>any overall policy must recognize the authorized law enforcement and
>national security needs, and must evaluate the impact on American
>competitiveness.
>
> The Digital Privacy and Security Working Group -- a coalition of
>communications and computer companies and associations, and consumer and
>privacy advocates -- was formed almost a decade ago when Congress undertook
>a review of technology and security policy. That review led to the
>Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986. Subsequently, many members
>of the Working Group served on the Privacy and Technology Task Force that
>Senator Leahy charged with examining these and similar issues in 1991.
>
> While we recognize the importance of authorized national security
>and law enforcement needs, we believe that there are fundamental privacy
>and other constitutional rights that must be taken into account when any
>domestic surveillance scheme is proposed. Moreover, it is unclear how your
>proposal and the overall review of cryptography policy will impact on U.S.
>export controls. Over the past two years, the Digital Privacy and Security
>Working Group has held numerous meetings at which both public and private
>sector representatives have exchanged technical and legal information with
>the law enforcement community on just such issues.
>
> In the White House press release of April 16, the Press Secretary
>stated that you have "directed early and frequent consultations with
>affected industries...and groups that advocate the privacy rights of
>individuals..." Our group of over 50 members -- from computer software and
>hardware firms, to telecommunications companies and energy companies, to
>the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation
>-- requests the opportunity to participate in developing policy on the
>broad range of security and privacy issues being considered, including
>appropriate encryption techniques. We believe that our membership has the
>breadth and depth of expertise and experience that would allow us to
>provide an excellent forum for the development of new policies in these
>areas.
> During the past few weeks, the Working Group has met several times
>to identify issues that need to be addressed. Several aspects of the
>Administration's encryption proposal warrant further discussion, including,
>but not limited to:
>
> o whether a key escrow system will produce the desired law
>enforcement results;
> o the level of strength and integrity of the algorithm and
>the security of the key escrow system;
> o the advisability of a government-developed and classified
>algorithm;
> o its practicality and commercial acceptability;
> o the effect of the proposal on American competitiveness and
>the balance of trade;
> o possible implications for the development of digital
>communications; and,
> o the effect on the right to privacy and other constitutional
>rights.
>
>A detailed list of our questions relating to this subject is being prepared
>to facilitate this dialogue.
>
> We are making our views known to officials within your
>Administration and Members of Congress as the review begins. We would
>welcome the opportunity to participate in the review process and look
>forward to working with you and your Administration on this important issue
>in the coming months. Representatives of the Digital Privacy and Security
>Working Group are anxious to meet with your staff at their earliest
>convenience to establish a consultation process.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>abcd, The Microcomputer Industry Association
>Hewlett-Packard Company
>Advanced Network & Services, Inc.
IBM
>American Civil Liberties Union
Information Technology Association of America
>Apple Computer, Inc.
Information Industry Association
>AT&T
>
Iris Associates
>Business Software Alliance
>Lotus Development Corporation
>Cavanagh Associates, Inc.
>McCaw Cellular Communications
>Cellular Telephone Industry Association
MCI
>Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
>Microsoft Corporation
>Computer & Business Equipment Manufacturers Association
RSA Data Security, Inc.
>Computer & Communications Industry Association
Software Publishers >Association
>Crest Industries, Inc.
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
>Digital Equipment Corporation
Toolmaker, Inc.
>EDUCOM
Trusted Information Systems
>Electronic Mail Association
>United States Telephone Association
>
> Electronic Frontier Foundation/Coordinator
> Contact: Jerry Berman 202/544-6906
>
>