>Europeans Clash With U.S. Over Encryption >(10/09/97; 1:00 p.m. EDT) >By Matthew Slater, TechWire > >BRUSSELS, Belgium -- A high-level international battle over >Internet regulation erupted Wednesday, when the European Union >refused to follow the U.S. government's line on controlling >encryption software. > >The European Commission said Wednesday that it doesn't plan heavy >regulation for encryption technology -- unlike the U.S. government >-- because European trade officials feel such a move would stifle >electronic commerce. Encryption software makes messages unreadable >to snoopers by scrambling them while they are in transit. > >The U.S. government wants to extend its wire-tapping powers to the >Net by granting law enforcement agencies the right to see the >plain-text version of scrambled messages. The U.S. government also >wants to ban the use of encryption services that don't allow >law-enforcement agencies access to plain-text versions. > >"In technological terms it is not possible to prevent criminals >from obtaining and using encryption techniques," said Martin >Bangemann, the European commissioner responsible for high-tech >affairs. "Therefore, there seems little point in preventing legal >users from protecting themselves," he said at the launch of an >European Commission policy statement on encryption and digital >signatures. > >Wednesday's document said that the Commission's interest in digital >signatures is limited to ensuring there is a common European Union >framework established for recognizing and authorizing digital >signatures. Germany, Italy, and France have already passed digital >signature laws, and other member states are close to drafting >legislation. > >"It is ironic, but the possibilities of the Internet make it >impossible to regulate," Bangemann said. The European Commission >regulates trade in the 15 countries of the European Union > >Contrary to the policy of the Clinton administration, the European >Commission will seek only a minimal framework policy for security >on the Internet, Bangemann said. Encryption is a more controversial >issue than digital signatures, which are used to establish a data >user's identity, Bangemann added. > >The commission said it accepted the need for Internet security for >the potential of electronic commerce to be realized. But Bangemann >said he is concerned that legislation in the member states may lead >to clashes of laws similar to those experienced in the United >States, where there are 40 different encryption laws at state >level. > >"We want to avoid the fragmentation of the market," a commission >spokesperson said. > >The commissioner added that the European preference for looser >regulation of Internet security issues had many international >supporters -- including many within the United States. > >The commission plans to establish a forum for discussion on >Internet security, with public hearings following in early 1998. >Publication of a directive, which must be implemented in the >national laws of the European Union countries, may follow soon >after, the commission spokesperson said. > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > HELP SPREAD THE FREEDOM MEME! > FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN FREEDOM! > > Please be sure to use the following topic codes > in the subject field when posting to this list: > >PRAC = Practical Freedom LANG = Language of Freedom >BBAL = Big Brother Alerts HEAL = Health Freedom/Life Extension >XIRS = Tax Freedom (IRS) FPSY = Freedom Psychology >XTAX = Tax Freedom (Elsewhere) PPIN = Personal Power & Influence >EXSS = Exiting "social security" MARK = Marketing Freedom >ECON = Economic Means to Freedom FRAD = Freedom Advantages >NETW = Freedom Business Networking GENL = General >PHYT = Physical Freedom Technology META = List operation >SOLU = Expert Solutions Support** WEBS = Website suggestions > > [**NOTE: Please refer to the list guidelines when sending > messages under the topic of Expert Solutions Support (SOLU).] > > ----------------------- > TO SUBSCRIBE, mailto:AFS-request@involved.com > In the message body: subscribe > > TO SUBSCRIBE TO DIGEST, mailto:AFS-request@involved.com > In the message body: subscribe afs digest > > TO UNSUBSCRIBE, mailto:AFS-request@involved.com > In message body: unsubscribe > > A searchable archive for this list will be available soon. > > Questions? Need help? mailto:owner-AFS@involved.com > > LIVE FREE AND PROSPER! > To find out how, visit: >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > ****************************************** Donations Needed- Am One Person Working Alone International Advocates for Health Freedom John C. Hammell, Legislative Advocate 2411 Monroe St.#2 Hollywood, FL 33020 USA 800-333-2553, 954-929-2905, FAX 954-929-0507, FAX ON DEMAND 954-927-8795,jham@concentric.net http://www.pnc.com.au/~cafmr/hammell/index.html