[FYI] McCAIN TO INTRODUCE ENCRYPTION BILL

[Horns@t-online.de (Axel H. Horns)]

http://jya.com/mccain-crypto.htm

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1 April 1999. Thanks to Ed Roback. 

from:  http://www.senate.gov/~mccain/encrypt.htm 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
PIA PIALORSI (202)224-2670
NANCY IVES (202)224-7130 

McCAIN TO INTRODUCE ENCRYPTION BILL 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today announced he
will introduce legislation as soon as Congress reconvenes to encourage
electronic commerce by facilitating the accessibility and export of
encryption technology. The PROTECT Act's purpose is to promote
electronic commerce that is in keeping with our national security. 

"This bill protects our national security and law enforcement
interests while maintaining the United States leadership role in
information technology," McCain said. "We must update our laws to
reflect the realities of the information age." 

The bill would do the following: 

     Direct the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST)
     to complete the establishment of an advanced encryption standard
     by January 1, 2002. 

     Allow for exportation of encryption of key lengths of up to 64
     bits. 

     Permit the exportation of non-defense encryption (above 64 bits)
     to responsible entities and governments of North Atlantic Treaty
     Organization (NATO), Association of Southeast Asian Nations
     (ASEAN), and Organization for Economic Cooperation and
     Development (OECD). 

     Allow for liberalization of export controls for encryption by
     creating an Encryption Export Advisory Board to review
     applications for exemption of encryption of over 64 bits and give
     recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce. The board would be
     made up of 12 members: the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export
     Administration, seven individuals appointed by the President (one
     from the National Security Agency, one from the Central
     Intelligence Agency, one from the Office of the President, and
     four representatives from the private sector who have experience
     in information technology), four representatives appointed by
     Congress (one by the Majority Leader of the Senate, one by the
     Minority Leader of the Senate, one by the Speaker of the House,
     and one by the Minority Leader of the House). 

     Give the Secretary of Commerce 15 days to respond to
     recommendations. If he rejects a recommended exemption, his
     decision is subject to judicial review. 

     Reaffirm existing presidential authority to veto a recommended
     exemption for national security purposes, and to establish
     terrorist and embargo controls. 

     Authorize increased funding to law enforcement and national
     security agencies to upgrade facilities and intelligence. 

     Give the Secretary of Commerce the authority to prohibit the
     exportation of particular encryption products to an individual or
     organization in a foreign country identified by the Secretary. 

Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and McCain have been working to reach a
compromise on this issue for many months. Burns is co-sponsoring this
bill along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT). 

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