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1995-01-03
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Date: Mon, 19 Apr 93 19:12:48 PDT
From: ross@QCKTRN.COM(Gary Ross)
Subject: File 2--Press release on "Clipper Chip" encryption
initiative
Date - Mon, 19 Apr 1993 16:44-0400
>From - The White House <uunet!compuserve.com!75300.3115>
Subject - Press release on "Clipper Chip" encryption initiative
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For Immediate Release April 16, 1993
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
The President today announced a new initiative that will bring the
Federal Government together with industry in a voluntary program to
improve the security and privacy of telephone communications while
meeting the legitimate needs of law enforcement.
The initiative will involve the creation of new products to
accelerate
the development and use of advanced and secure telecommunications
networks and wireless communications links.
For too long, there has been little or no dialogue between our
private
sector and the law enforcement community to resolve the tension
between economic vitality and the real challenges of protecting
Americans. Rather than use technology to accommodate the sometimes
competing interests of economic growth, privacy and law
enforcement,
previous policies have pitted government against industry and the
rights of privacy against law enforcement.
Sophisticated encryption technology has been used for years to
protect
electronic funds transfer. It is now being used to protect
electronic
mail and computer files. While encryption technology can help
Americans protect business secrets and the unauthorized release of
personal information, it also can be used by terrorists, drug
dealers,
and other criminals.
A state-of-the-art microcircuit called the "Clipper Chip" has been
developed by government engineers. The chip represents a new
approach
to encryption technology. It can be used in new, relatively
inexpensive encryption devices that can be attached to an ordinary
telephone. It scrambles telephone communications using an
encryption
algorithm that is more powerful than many in commercial use today.
This new technology will help companies protect proprietary
information, protect the privacy of personal phone conversations
and
prevent unauthorized release of data transmitted electronically.
At
the same time this technology preserves the ability of federal,
state
and local law enforcement agencies to intercept lawfully the phone
conversations of criminals.
A "key-escrow" system will be established to ensure that the
"Clipper
Chip" is used to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans.
Each
device containing the chip will have two unique
"keys," numbers that will be needed by authorized government
agencies
to decode messages encoded by the device. When the device is
manufactured, the two keys will be deposited separately in two
"key-escrow" data bases that will be established by the Attorney
General. Access to these keys will be limited to government
officials
with legal authorization to conduct a wiretap.
The "Clipper Chip" technology provides law enforcement with no new
authorities to access the content of the private conversations of
Americans.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of this new technology, the
Attorney
General will soon purchase several thousand of the new devices. In
addition, respected experts from outside the government will be
offered access to the confidential details of the algorithm to
assess
its capabilities and publicly report their findings.
The chip is an important step in addressing the problem of
encryption's dual-edge sword: encryption helps to protect the
privacy
of individuals and industry, but it also can shield criminals and
terrorists. We need the "Clipper Chip" and other approaches that
can
both provide law-abiding citizens with access to the encryption
they
need and prevent criminals from using it to hide their illegal
activities. In order to assess technology trends and explore new
approaches (like the key-escrow system), the President has directed
government agencies to develop a comprehensive policy on encryption
that accommodates:
the privacy of our citizens, including the need to
employ
voice or data encryption for business purposes;
the ability of authorized officials to access telephone
calls and data, under proper court or other legal order,
when necessary to protect our citizens;
the effective and timely use of the most modern
technology
to build the National Information Infrastructure needed
to
promote economic growth and the competitiveness of
American
industry in the global marketplace; and
the need of U.S. companies to manufacture and export
high
technology products.
The President has directed early and frequent consultations with
affected industries, the Congress and groups that advocate the
privacy
rights of individuals as policy options are developed.
The Administration is committed to working with the private sector
to
spur the development of a National Information Infrastructure which
will use new telecommunications and computer technologies to give
Americans unprecedented access to information. This infrastructure
of
high-speed networks ("information superhighways") will transmit
video,
images, HDTV programming, and huge data files as easily as today's
telephone system transmits voice.
Since encryption technology will play an increasingly important
role
in that infrastructure, the Federal Government must act quickly to
develop consistent, comprehensive policies regarding its use. The
Administration is committed to policies that protect all American's
right to privacy while also protecting them from those who break
the
law.
Further information is provided in an accompanying fact sheet. The
provisions of the President's directive to acquire the new
encryption
technology are also available.
For additional details, call Mat Heyman, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, (301) 975-2758.
Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253