[423] in cryptography@c2.net mail archive
Re: Dorothy and the four Horseman
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Bill Frantz)
Fri Mar 21 19:09:49 1997
In-Reply-To: <m0w7x6t-000S01C@laptop.ka9q.ampr.org>
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 11:28:50 -0800
To: cryptography@c2.net
From: Bill Frantz <frantz@netcom.com>
Whenever we are publicly discussing the use of crypto by the four horsemen,
we should lose not opportunity to point out that the conviction rate can
always be raised by eliminating other constitutional protections. Imagine
for a moment if we could compel doctors, lawyers, priests, and spouses to
testify about things they now have a right to keep confidential.
The issues are:
(1) How much right does the government has to pry into the affairs of
people in a free society, and how much right do the people have to use
technical means to keep snoopers, government and otherwise, out.
(2) How much risk of attack on our information infrastructure are we
willing to tolerate to ensure the government's continued ability to gather
information using the techniques of the last 50-60 years. In conversations
at "Computers, Freedom, and Privacy" last week, I noted what seemed like a
change of heart in the national security community. One person from that
community said straight out that the threat of infowar made the deployment
of strong crypto necessary to protect the interests of the United States.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | Back from caving in Borneo.| Periwinkle -- Consulting
(408)356-8506 | Great caves. We mapped | 16345 Englewood Ave.
frantz@netcom.com | 25KM on the expedition. | Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA
