Basic HTML version of Foils prepared April 7 1998

Foil 20 The Great Clipper Controversy

From Basic Principles of Java and Internet Security CPS616 Web Technologies -- Spring 98. by Geoffrey C. Fox


1 Unfortunately once we have set up digital security, the government will be severely handicapped in monitoring communication between sundry bad guys!
2 They proposed that this be addressed by
  • a)Using a particular (and quite reasonable) encryption technology built into special hardware -- the clipper chip
  • b)The decryption keys used in each chip would be deposited with the government so that they and only they could break any encoding
  • c)The decryption key would actually be shared by two agencies "preventing" abuse by any one high-handed part of government
  • Note mainly aimed at phones and faxes but must address computer networking given growth in internet
3 Highly controversial as clearly attacks various deeply held principles of free speech
4 I am more or less certain that it is doomed anyway as too hard in today's world to enforce such a standard

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