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[FYI] McCAIN INTRODUCES ENCRYPTION BILL
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- Subject: [FYI] McCAIN INTRODUCES ENCRYPTION BILL
- From: Horns@t-online.de (Axel H. Horns)
- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 09:39:21 +0100
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http://jya.com/protect.htm
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14 April 1999
Source: http://www.senate.gov/~mccain/encryp3.htm
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
NANCY IVES (202)224-7130
PIA PIALORSI (202)224-2670
McCAIN INTRODUCES ENCRYPTION BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chairman of the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today
introduced legislation 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. We must update our laws to reflect the
realities of the information age," McCain said. "The PROTECT Act
would establish a credible procedure for making encryption export
decisions, while providing a national security backstop to make
certain that advanced encryption products do not fall into the
wrong hands."
Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) and McCain have been working to reach
a compromise on this issue for many months. Burns is a co-sponsor
along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Spencer Abraham (R-MI),
John Kerry (D-MA), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
The bill would do the following:
Direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
to complete the establishment of an advanced encryption standard
by January 1, 2002.
Allow for immediate 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 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.
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