huridocs-tech Encryption in France

This message was originally posted on the POLITECH list.

*****
From: sbaker@steptoe.com
X-Mailer: ccMail Link to SMTP R8.20.00.25
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 14:59:06 -0500
To: <declan@well.com>
Subject: (Fwd) The Maginot Line of Encryption Falls  

The rumors that we reported earlier are true.  The French Government has
abandoned its effort to control domestic use of encryption.  

In an announcement made today by Prime Minister Jospin, the government
announced its decision to abandon most aspects of the encryption
legislation adopted in 1996.  This legislation created a licensing scheme
for import and use of encryption and required the use of key escrow for
all products containing strong encryption.  That approach has now been
scrapped. 

Jospin announced that his administration would send forward proposed
legislation allowing complete freedom in the use of all cryptography,
abolishing the requirement to use trusted third parties, and providing
instead increase funding for the police, combined with enhanced authority
to demand plaintext in the course of an investigation. 

Jospin went further in his announcement.  Recognizing that it would take
several months to modify the legislation, he announced that the level for
free use of encryption inside France would be raised administratively from
the current 40-bit level to 128 bits.  It appears that this change will
take place almost immediately. 

We're seeking details about how companies that wish to sell stronger
encryption inside France may be assured of their legal status and will
report further as we get the information. 


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