--- begin forwarded text From: Somebody To: "Robert Hettinga" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: FT Key Escrow 6 March Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999 12:38:13 -0000 FT UK March 6 1999 INTERNET: Security proposal welcomed By Paul Taylor in London The UK government has backed away from an open confrontation with the information technology industry over demands that the security services be given access to encryption keys so that they can monitor internet-based electronic commerce messages. Its proposals were welcomed by Intel, the US chipmaker. Instead, the government says in its long-awaited proposals for electronic commerce legislation published yesterday, that it will seek ideas on how to meet the twin objectives of encouraging secure internet based "e-commerce" while protecting the interests of the law enforcement agencies. The government's change over key escrow and third party key recovery, which involves storing confidentiality keys and recovering encrypted data, was welcomed by the UK's Alliance for Electronic Business as well as Intel, one of the most vociferous opponents of key escrow. The government's proposals are set out in a consultation document published yesterday by Stephen Byers, the chief trade and industry minister and Jack Straw, the home secretary. They include plans to set up a voluntary licensing system for businesses providing electronic signatures, proposed changes to other laws needed to ease the growth of e-commerce, and establishing the liability of service providers. "The way we do business in the future is set to change dramatically," said Mr Byers, launching the consultation document. He said the proposed legislation would remove legal barriers to using electronic means in everyday dealings. The government had argued that access to key escrow and third party key recovery was needed to combat crime. Industry, led by IT companies, argued that making this a requirement under a licensing scheme would hinder the development of electronic commerce in Britain. Peter Agar, chairman of the AEB, said the plans recognised the "technical difficulties and potential damage to business competitiveness which such measures would cause". Keith Chapple, director of government affairs for Intel in Europe, said: "A requirement for licensing and offering encryption services could seriously hinder the development of electronic commerce in the UK." --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert A. Hettinga <mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> Philodox Financial Technology Evangelism <http://www.philodox.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'
