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From: ariel@world.std.com (Robert L Ullmann)
Subject: Re: Why the algorithm is secret
Message-ID: <C5uzGs.E8s@world.std.com>
Organization: The World in Boston
References: <1993Apr17.025713.3768@chpc.org>
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1993 00:17:15 GMT
Lines: 27

Exactly.

But I'll add another observation: if the chip does become a standard,
the algorithm won't _remain_ secret.

Leaving the government with the only remaining option: to make use
of un-escrowed keys illegal. Which won't begin to bother the terrorists
and child abusers the government is so fond of referring to.

Note that the Federalist papers stress _one_ reason for the right
of citizens to bear arms: to defend themselves _against_ the army.
_Our_ army.

IMHO the _primary_ purpose of private crypto is defend ourselves
_against_ the government. The odd terrorist I'm not worried about;
the goverment damages my quality of life every day.

Rob
--
Robert Ullmann		Ariel@World.STD.COM	+1 508 879 6994 x226
Quand Maigret poussa la porte du Tabac Fontaine, vers une heure et demie,
le patron du bar, qui venait de se lever, descendait lentement un escalier
en colima çon qui s'amor çait dans l'arri ère-salle. ... Arriv é derri ère le
comptoir, il repousa le gar çon d'un geste n égligent de la main, saisit
une bouteille de vin blanc, un verre, m élangea au vin de l'eau min érale et,
la t ête renvers ée en arri ère, se gargarisa.  -- Simenon
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