Return of key escrow in Washington - Rejection in Paris

Abstract

After months of conflicting signals, withdrawn memoranda, and confusing statements concerning cryptography policy, the Clinton administration has prepared draft legislation that, if enacted, would set up an encryption key management infrastructure for the United States and other countries. Called the Electronic Data Security Act of 1997, the bill would enable the Secretary of Commerce to register “suitable” private sector entities, government agencies, and foreign government agencies as Certificiate Authorities and Key Recovery Agents.