Date: Wed, 19 Jun 96 17:19:00 EDT From: Donald Silberger <[SILBER G D] at [SNYNEWVM]> Subject: Britain to... crypto-official... To: Matthew Gaylor and others on the FreeMatt list <[f--e--t] at [coil.com]> The piece in FreeMatt I will discuss mentions that the British government may license third parties to hold the decryption keys to communication of a purportedly private character between individuals over the internet. That reposted piece in FreeMatt suggests three supposed benefits to this briefly reported governmental security measure: (1). The British government wishes to promote the security of business communication over the internet in order to increase Britain's ability to compete on the world market. (2). It wishes to safeguard the privacy of communication between two individuals over the internet. (3). It wishes to preserve the ability of law enforcement to monitor potential or actual criminal activity or terrorism. My curiosity was aroused because I immediately recalled a means already in place for British subjects to be satisfied with respect to both (1) and (2) above. Would those purposes not be served adequately by the resort to PGP in order to secure the confidentiality of communications? If the answer is, as I surmise, "Yes", then it would seem that only (3) significantly interests the British government. Of course the vast majority of Britons - like the vast majority of Yanks - want to discourage terrorism. But I wonder how much of the criminality of interest to law enforcement in this matter pertains to the illegal drug business and to the related financial transactions which are damned by the words, "money laundering". I not only raise this question, but I sense a bit of anxiety and pique at any soft-shoe escalation of the War on Drugs world wide. I believe peace should be declared in this war. Law enforcement world wide ought to focus its attention against violence to person and/or to property rather than against peaceable contracts, willing exchanges of services or commodities, and choices of life style. I invite flames. --Donald Silberger <[silber g d] at [npvm.newpaltz.edu]> ========================================================================= Message-Id: <[199606112007 QAA 01167] at [nrk.com]> Subject: Britain to control crypto - official (fwd from Usenet) To: [c--r--s] at [toad.com] (Cypherpunks) Date: Tue, 11 Jun 1996 16:07:28 -0400 (EDT) The British government quietly announced yesterday that it will legislate to restrict crypto. The details are in the attached Reuters and PA newswires. Fuller details will no doubt be available at a one day workshop that the Ministry of Defence is organising at the IEE in Savoy Place on the 27th June. The speakers will include directors of both CESG (GCHQ's front operation) and DRA, as well as a policeman and the data protection registrar. The IEE's phone number is 0171 240 1871. Ross RTf 06/10 1355 UK to license information encryption services LONDON, June 10 (Reuter) - The British government unveiled proposals on Monday aimed at meeting the demand for encryption services to safeguard the confidentiality of electronic information transmitted on public telecommunications networks. Technology minister Ian Taylor published a paper proposing a licensing system for so-called "Trusted Third parties," or TTPs, to provide encryption services. "The TTPs would offer digital signature, data integrity and retrieval, key management and other services for which there is a commercial demand," Taylor said in a written parliamentary answer. Taylor said encryption services would facilitate the development of electronic commerce, thus helping to maintain Britain's competitiveness. The licensing policy would aim to protect consumers as well as to preserve the ability of intelligence and law enforcement agencies to fight serious crime and terrorism, Taylor said. This would be done by establishing procedures for disclosure to them of the encryption keys, under safeguards similar to those which already exist under the Interception of Communications Act, he added. Taylor said officials in his department had already held preliminary discussions with industry groups on the concepts set out in Monday's paper. Following consultation by the Department of Trade and Industry on detailed proposals, the government intends to bring forward legislation, Taylor added. PA 06/10 1808 MOVE TO STRENGTHEN INFORMATION SECURITY By Parliamentary Staff, PA News The Government tonight announced plans to strenthen the security of information sent electronically over public telecommunications networks. Technology Minister Ian Taylor, in a Commons written reply, disclosed proposals to licence trusted third parties to provide encryption services -- the process of transforming text into an unintelligible form that can only subsequently be recovered by someone possessing the corresponding decryption key. These services cover the digital signature, an electronic equivalent of a hand-written signature, of electronic documents and the protection of the accuracy and privacy of contents. Mr Taylor said: "There is a growing demand for encryption services to safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of electronic information transmitted on public telecommunications networks. "The Government therefore proposes to make arrangements for licensing trusted third parties who would provide such services." These would include digital signature, data integrity and retrieval and key management services. "The licensing policy will aim to protect consumers as well as to preserve the ability of the intelligence and law enforcement agencies to fight serious crime and terrorism by establishing procedures for disclosure to them of the encryption keys, under safeguards similar to those which already exist for warranted interception under the Interception of Communications Act." Mr Taylor, who disclosed publication of a paper, said it was intended to bring forward proposals for legislation after consultation on detailed policy proposals. The Trade and Industry Department said increased use of IT systems by British business and commerce was a major factor in their improved competitive position, but had brought increased security risks -- especially concerning integrity and confidentiality of information passed electronically between trading bodies. Prime candidates to be trusted third parties could include banks, network operators and trade associations. ###*+ **************************************************************************** Subscribe to Freematt's Alerts: Pro-Individual Rights Issues Send a blank message to: [f--em--t] at [coil.com] with the words subscribe FA on the subject line. List is private and moderated (7-30 messages per week) Matthew Gaylor,1933 E. Dublin-Granville Rd.,#176, Columbus, OH 43229 ****************************************************************************