Proposed laws affecting the development and sale of cryptographic software

Availability of crypto software worldwide

Some legislators and commentators believe that crypto export controls are necessary to prevent the worldwide development and distribution of cryptographic software. Here is a list of (predominantly) non-US sources for cryptographic software: Also, Trusted Information Systems conducts an ongoing survey to track global availability of crypto software.

Artificially imposed key length limits and security

A distinguished panel of cryptographers wrote this paper discussing the relationship between key length and security. They concluded that export-strength cryptography offers "virtually no protection" against espionage, and that the current industry standard 56-bit (DES) keys are "increasingly inadequate."

International developments/agreements

Pending legislation

(as of 6/17/97)

France

Germany

United Kingdom

United States

Federal

California


Written/maintained by Greg Broiles (gbroiles@netbox.com).